Vicki Batman's Blog, page 76

.#Handbag Monday's guest is author Ashley Ladd. Wanna take a peek in her bag? #MFRWorg #PlottingPrincesses

Imagine how thrilled I was when Ashley Ladd answered my plea for a blogging spot and I was only too happy to feature her on
*  #Handbag Monday  *
Let's check her out: Ashley Ladd is a disabled Air Force vet, a proud mama, a cat lover, Trekkie, and carries a purse that’s much too heavy. She writes erotic romance in its many forms. She’s an Ohio girl transplanted into a Florida world.
Ashley, what did you bring us? 

This handbag holds a big part of my world, and thus, is my constant companion. The only time I don’t keep it with me is if I go out for a walk or a swim. Then I put my keys and my wallet in a fanny pack and my phone in my pocket.
I found this purse at Bealls for quite a steal and it’s been a really good satchel. Although I love pretty handbags, I can’t afford to spend much money on them. I have four children still at home and feel funny spending money on myself. Most of my earnings gets spent on them. In fact, I have to complete back to school shopping and spring for a couple haircuts this week.
I get teased a lot about my purses in general and this one is no exception. My handbags tend to get very heavy. That’s even after I stopped carrying my medicine and makeup in my purse. And that’s also with my youngest daughter removing all the coins a couple times a month.
So what’s in my handbag? My wallet, a separate credit card holder, phone, keys, brush, hearing aid batteries and holder, ear buds, and too many bills and medical appointment notices from the VA to mention.


Blurb for Business or Pleasure: Tommy Boudreaux is extremely attracted to Guy Rogers even though he’s a passionate vegetarian and animal rights activist and Tommy’s family owns the most popular barbecue joint in town.
Find Business or Pleasure at:  Totally Bound
Find Ashley at: Website
Thank you, Ashley, for your help and for sharing your favorite handbag with me today!

What is the cutest bug in the world? Why Bug Stuff...and Other Stories #MFRWorg #PlottingPrincesses

Moving to the second round of the Book Goodies cover contest is...



And votes are needed. Go to: http://bookgoodies.com/cover-contest-...  

leave a comment
you can share
vote!

And maybe with your help, my sassy cover willl win!

#Movie Mom - a fun Western: Cat Ballou

Sometimes, summer television movies lacks. But I usually find a good old one on Turner Classics. Recently, I watched Cat Ballou.


- #Movie Mom - 



It stars Lee Marvin in two roles for which he won an Academy Award (check out the horse scene) and Jane Fonda when she mostly played ingenues. 

Blurb: When schoolteacher Cat Ballou returns to her hometown to find powerful men want the family ranch's water rights and murders her father, she turns to the famous gunslinger, Kid Shelleen, for help. 

There are some fun touches--in the opening credits, the torch lady turns into a gunslinger. Stubby Kaye and Nat King Cole (what a singer!) sing songs throughout the movie. And the railroad mail guy who steadfastly refuses to hand over the cash, thwarting the wannabe robbers for a bit. 

Why I watched this film? One name: Lee Marvin. It's a comedy, he has two roles and truly embodies each. Well done!

For more information: Cat Ballou

.@VickiBatman - Taking something old and making something new #Fixing a treasure #MFRWorg #PlottingPrincesses

Taking something old and making something new
I knew I could reuse the lace off the pillowcases, but had never done this. 

I found the pillowcases at a flea market and loved, loved, loved the little chicks in the crocheted lace. The pillow cases were fashioned out of good ol' muslin, the kind when washed lots, gets softer and softer. Since the set was already old when purchased, I knew the day would come when something would happen, like the lace come apart or the pillowcase would rip. So one day, holes appeared in the upper right hand corner.





Frownie face. :( 

I decided to give this idea a try: remove the lace and stitch onto a new pair of cases. The dilemma is finding the right kind of pillow cases. Muslin ones aren't manufactured any more. So I found a set at a local store. I removed the lace which was easy as it was sewn on at the hem. Just mere snipping of stitches. Since I was going to all this trouble, I decided to move the lace to the section where the hem is sewn down. I pinned into place, whipped the lace on, and voila! All done. Took me about an hour.






















Here's the finished ones:


Happy face. :)

Have you ever repurposed an item into something new?

Vicki Batman is eagerly anticipating the release of the funny mystery, Temporarily Employed, on October 17. Stay tuned for more details. 

.@VickiBatman - #Handbag Monday: guest Susan Day is into feathers #MFRWorg #RLFblog

I don't think we have featured feathers before! Let's see what today's guest, Susan Day, brought to


~Handbag Monday~
When I found this site I almost screamed with excitement! A good friend put me onto it and I can’t tell you what a thrill it gave me. I have been collecting handbags for years. I tend to go for the quirky and off beat ones. However, I really can’t decide which type of bag I love the most – shoulder, clutch, handmade, glitz – they’re all lovely. I used to have my handbags displayed on my drawing room walls. They were hung up just like pictures. I used to change them around too just to make the display more interesting.  So, it’s taken me a few days to decide which handbag to show you first.

 I chose this one because I think it’s so special. It’s very small – only 6 inches in length and it’s very delicate. It’s made of peacock feathers and has a brass clasp. The inside is lined with satin and its perfect – no marks or signs of usage. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to it so I keep it wrapped in a soft cloth and out of the light. Every now and then, I get it out and admire it. I hope you fall in love with it just like I did.

Susan writes and illustrates the Astro’s Adventures series of children’s books. These books are written for eight years to 80. They are like a cross between Hairy Maclary and Get Smart.



Find Susan at:
Blogsite 

Find at:
Amazon

.@VickiBatman - #Movie Mom: The Women & The Opposite Sex

#Movie Mom - The Women & The Opposite Sex

The Women was written by Clare Booth Luce as a play for Broadway and adapted to the silver screen (1939). There are no men in it, but they are talked about so much, you think they are there. The movie version starred Rosalind Russell, Paulette Goddard, Joan Crawford, and Norma Shearer. Gossip rules until one day, a woman is told about her husband's affair while having a manicure.
This movie is extremely well-acted. And showcases how actors of that period really used their faces to show emotions. Just watch Norma Shearer in this role. The costuming is superb FMI: The Women
The Opposite Sex stars June Allyson, Joan Collins, and Leslie Nielsen. A former nightclub singer  discovers her husband is having an affair with showgirl, travels to Reno for a divorce. But when she finds out the marriage is in trouble, she starts fighting to win her ex-husband back. This version based on The Women does have men and is set in the entertainment industry, providing a vehicle for Ms. Allyson to sing and dance. TCM did an interview with Ms. Collins who talked about how Ms. Allyson couldn't slap Ms. Collins. But she worked up to it and did such a hard smack, Ms. Collins' head whipped and her earrings flew off. She had to take off from filming for two days due to swelling on her face. FMI: The Opposite Sex I always find it interesting to compare films and see which one really is better. I vote for The Women. The men and the music numbers are distracting in The Opposite Sex. As my friend says, "there's no comparison." Do you watch black and white movies or just ones in color?

.@VickiBatman - Cooking experiments with SBB: Lemon Bars #MFRWorg #PlottingPrincesses

#Cooking Experiments with SBB

I asked SBB if he would make Lemon Bars for us and give a nice report. Here's what he had to say:

Lemon Bars: Ingredients Original recipe makes 1 - 9x13 inch pan 
1 cup butter, softened1/2 cup white sugar2 cups all-purpose flour 4 eggs 1 1/2 cups white sugar 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 lemons, juiced
DirectionsPreheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).In a medium bowl, blend together softened butter, 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup sugar. Press into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan.Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm and golden. In another bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1/4 cup flour. Whisk in the eggs and lemon juice. Pour over the baked crust.Bake for an additional 20 minutes in the preheated oven. The bars will firm up as they cool. For a festive tray, make another pan using limes instead of lemons and adding a drop of green food coloring to give a very pale green. After both pans have cooled, cut into uniform 2 inch squares Here consists of my first attempt at successfully creating a dessert and posting on someone's blogsite. I would normally attach a disclaimer to a review of this kind since I am not a good cook, nor at all creative in managing recipes. However, considering the response to this lemon bar recipe was overwhelmingly positive, I shall submit my own opinion as well.
If you take the time to read this recipe, you will notice a lot of sugar, and if that isn't your thing, then I don't recommend this recipe. I don't think it will detract from the flavor of the lemon filling if you take away a few tablespoons, though. With that said, I'd also not recommend portioning this dessert in the manner it calls for, namely in little 3 inch x 3 inch squares, as this serving size will be too unmanageable as a petite bite-size dessert, which I believe is its' true calling. To reach this aim, I recommend doubling the lemon filling, and further cutting the platter into 1 inch x 1 inch squares. This will result in little lemon "cubes" that are a perfect accompaniment for any social event. 
Finally, a word on tartness. The lemons I bought were not very tart, and if that is another objective in your mind, then I suggest trying limes instead, or just going all out with straight up store-bought lemon juice to be safe. All in all, I am very pleased with how the dessert turned out.
Thanks, #2, for trying this recipe and telling us about your experiences. FMI, go to: Lemon Bars

.@VickiBatman - #Handbag Monday: I had NO idea!!! #MFRWorg #RLFblog

For Handbag Monday today, I pulled out a new favorite I happened upon.


~Handbag Monday~

When I had my turquoise Kate Spade fixed, my eye wandered over the shop and spotted a few handbags on the wall. I dismissed the needlepoint one as it had damage and is the very same pattern as my Paris bag (when will you be finished???). On the top was this black patent leather one. I checked for wear--none. I checked for damage--none. I opened it up and checked for stains--none. In fact, the original tissue paper was still inside.

I asked the shop owner about it and he said vintage, owned by one person and never carried. I thought the price a tad high, but didn't have any shaped like this. Well, my green Hobo is close. The handbag found a home. Isn't she gorgeous?



Upon inspection when at home, I found the label Nettie Rosenstein. I googled and OMG! I had NO idea. This designer crafted Mamie Eisenhower's inaugural gown. Did clothing, jewelry, had a perfume line. She was da bomb. Even today, her handbags fetch in the thousands. There are plenty of affordable ones on eBay, ETSY, etc.

Here's some information I found on Wikipedia about Ms. Rosenstein: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nettie_Rosenstein

On 1st dibs an array of bags, jewels, clothing: http://www.1stdibs.com/search/?q=nettie+Rosenstein

And on MaryBawa.com is more about Ms. Rosenstein: http://www.marybawa.com/historyofashion/fashionframe.html


Do you like my new favorite?


Vicki Batman blogs about handbags every Monday which having a diet Coke and writing funny fiction. Her fun, romantic mystery, Temporarily Employed will be available thru The Wild Rose Press soon. Stay tuned!

#Movie Mom - Lost in Translation #MFRWorg #PlottingPrincesses

Do you ever watch a movie several times?

#Movie Mom


Lost in Translation has to be one of my favorites. Why? Haven't we all experienced lost moments in our lives?

Here's the blurb: An American action star in mid-life crisis travels to Tokyo to film a commercial and develops a friendship with a young college graduate who is having troubles finding herself.

I really liked this movie a lot and it will probably be one of my favorites from Bill Murray. Truly, Bill Murray as an action story? (Ghostbusters doesn't count!) And it gives a look-see into life in Tokyo.

Two favorite scenes are Bob/Bill in a camo shirt. And when Bob/Bill is dozing on the same bed as Charlotte/Scarlett. He reaches over and barely touches her foot. Okay, the third would be the ending.

Find out more at: Lost in Translation

SPOILER ALERT: What did Bill Murray's, Bob, character say to Scarlett's, Charlotte?

Some say: "I have to go, but I won't let that come between us."

It is a tender scene and Soffia Coppola left it unscripted, letting the characters speak. It's...well done.

Just a teeny tiny sneak peek--really! Temporarily Employed #MFRWorg #PlottingPrincesses

Coming soon!
It's squee time at the Batman house for my romantic comedy mystery will be available real soon. 


Here's the blurb:

Hattie Cook's dream job is down the toilet and her new SUV violated. Desperate for cash to cover the basic necessities of rent and food, she takes a temporary job at Buy Rite insurance company where she uncovers an embezzling scam tied to the death of a former employee--the very one she replaced. The last thing she wants is to clash with By-the-Book Detective Wellborn, no matter how much he makes her heart pound.

Allan Charles Wellborn has secretly adored Hattie all his life.  He evolved from a pocket protector-wearing geek to a handsome police detective.  When the police determine there's more to the death of a former Buy Rite employee, he steps in to lead the investigation. Overly dedicated, always perfect, he puts his job first, even if doing so ultimately hurts the one he loves.
 
Can the killer be found before Hattie's time is up?

Here's an excerpt:

“Yuck.” Pretty much covered the whole freakin’ day.  A blinding red-white, red-white strobe, reflected in my brand new Wrangler’s rearview mirror, seized my attention. The police. I tossed my hands skyward, ready to surrender. I shouldn’t have been too surprised. Like I'd commented this a.m. to my roommate, Jenny, “Today, anything’s possible.” My Bad Day checklist included: - Crappy job interview, one which might have provided desperately needed    income. - Wore gut-busting panty hose on a hot day which had now worked past my waist and strangled my diaphragm. - A barely blowing air conditioner indicated something had malfunctioned in   my new, fun car. I stole another glance in the mirror, and with great reluctance, flipped the right turn indicator. My vehicle coasted to a stop on the shoulder of Boston Avenue in my hometown of Sommerville, a nice suburb located between two large cities. Four lanes of cars and trucks zipped by as I sat there where every single one of my family, friends, friends’ friends, and their friends—including Rat Fink Suzanne—would see a police vehicle positioned right behind mine. Gleefully, drivers would chant the “Ha-ha, got you, not me” ditty. How embarrassing.After killing the engine, I flopped back in the seat. Shooting the morons the finger was an idea. Nah. I'm too exhausted to care. A litany of:  "No, not hiring." "Just filled the position." "You're over qualified." "You're under qualified…" tornadoed through my head. Coupled with the intense job search through various outlets like the internet and completing numerous online employment applications, no wonder my body had been depleted of all life force.Not even a breeze blew to take the edge off the unbearable summertime heat. Tangled wild trees and dry scrubby bushes banked the roadside. The grass had taken on a scorched look. Rolling down the driver’s window, I surveyed my surroundings. Nothing great. Nothing new.  I stole a glance in the side mirror at the policeman who strode purposefully along the shoulder. The gravel crunched under his boots. He looked huge, probably because his uniform, which appeared to be bulked with a bullet-proof vest, made him resemble a buffed-up superhero in size. Exceedingly intimidating.
Sigh. When things went wrong, they were really wrong. 


What do you think? You like? Ready for some laughs?


Find Temporarily Employed at The Wild Rose Press soon!