Vicki Batman's Blog, page 77

.@VickiBatman - friends can surprise me author @AlishaWilson on #handbag Monday #MFRWorg #PlottingPrincesses

Friends can surprise me! And even let me know when they find a new treasure.

~Handbag Monday~
So my friend, Alisha Paige Wilson, is out resale shopping and finds a treasure which she immediately puts up on Facebook. That's not enough for me. I have to know more. 

Handbag made by Frankly Fabulous and bought at a resale shop. I saw it sitting there on a shelf, this cute little embroidered handbag with gorgeous bamboo handles! The blue, green and yellow fringe spoke to the hippy in me! I love fringe on just about anything and this sassy little bag had it all! Gorgeous flowery embroidery, earthy bamboo handles and the FRINGE, baby!!! Feminine, soft blues like a robin's egg and bamboo from the far East. I was shocked my name wasn't embroidered inside! xoxoxo

Alisha Paige is a best selling indie author writing paranormal and vintage romance under her real name, thrillers and westerns under the pen name, Ruby Vines and children's books under the pen name, Wolfgang Pie.
Blurb for My Little Texas Tornado: Muscles, Tornadoes and Wine! 
Find Alisha at: Alisha Paige
Find at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ASE1J9O
Thank you, Alisha, for being at Handbag Monday today!

#Movie Mom: From small boy to college bound, your heart will feel Boyhood #MFRWorg #RLFblog

#Movie Mom

I wasn't all that sure what I was getting myself into when I went to see 



I'd seen a few trailers and they made it seem as if we would be following the life of a boy until college age--which is true. But there is so much more.

Directed by Richard Linklater over a twelve year span, this movie is unusual in that we actually see life through the lenses of the mother, father, sister and the boy. I laughed a lot, got teary-eyed on occasion, felt terrified in bits, etc. Yet, this could be normal. 

The movie features Ethan Hawke who, to me, delivers the best parts and does his darndest to deliver good dad advice. Patricia Arquette plays the mother. The movies is filmed in parts of Texas and I have to say the hike in Big Bend at the end just confirmed for the millionth time how I needed to visit there.

I love the scene with the boy on the grass, staring into the sky, daydreaming.

I liked this movie. 

FMI: Boyhood

Do the years pass quickly for you too? @VickiBatman #MFRWorg

Do the years pass quickly for you too?     After I had been secretly writing for a few months, I sat down to have dinner with Handsome who had been mega traveling. We chatted about the usual—kids, cats, house, his trip, my upcoming class reunion. Then he asked, “What have you been up to?” meaning besides Jazzercise, needlepoint, and reading.

I drew a deep breath and let this rip quickly, “I’ve been writing.”

Honestly, I don’t stun Handsome much. But this admission did. His eyes went large and he went from a reclining position to sitting straight. Then his eyes narrowed, “Writing what?”I explained the whole enchilada about how I began writing. He really listened and when I’d finished, he said, “You’ve changed.”

And I had. I had moved into a new life stage and was embracing it wholly. Here’s what I’ve done:
Published:4 short romantic comedies, 1 essay with MuseItUp Publishing 1 paranormal short sexy romance with Noble Romance Publishing (rights returned)13 short romantic comedies with True MagazinesIndie Pubbed:
3 short fiction collections

To be Pubbed:1 essay, Sisterhood Anthology by Wordforest1 funny romantic mystery by The Wild Rose Press (coming soon!)

Can be published:2 paranormal short sexy romances (+ returned one)
4 short romantic comedies
3 romantic mysteries

I think I have been busy.   Happy anniversary to me!  Vicki Batman is greatly rejoicing a life change and eagerly waiting what will happen soon. Check her site FMI: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com 
 
 

The big debut; The Paris #handbag & it is pretty too! #MFRWorg #accessories

The Paris handbag is debuting at:

~Handbag Monday~ I began with a vintage canvas I found on eBay. I stitched the background in red silk, using one strand. The street scenes were already done as was typical of these bags. Once completed, I turned the bag into the finisher at the needlepoint shop. They used red leather on the handle and the gusset. Beige silk moire was used to fabricate the lining.

All in all, I learned a lot.

So here's my progression from week one to today:

















As you can see, the bag is in a classic style, but the handle is shorter instead of shoulder bag. Shoulder bag handles fall off my shoulder and cross-body wouldn't have been appropriate. No, I went for a tote look.
How did I do? Interested in making one of your own?


Vicki Batman is exhausted with stitching two handbags and is turning to a pillow for now. Be sure to check back soon for her new book, Temporarily Employed.

Are you a #Movie Maniac? A few thoughts on The Immigrant #MFRWorg

For something completely different, let's take a look at The Immigrant on #Movie Maniac:



In 1921, a Catholic Polish woman and her sister arrive at Ellis Island, looking for a better life after escaping post–war Poland, but all does not go well. Actors are Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Renner, and Joaquin Phoenix.

Again, I said to Handsome I wanted to see this film because of one actor, Marion Cotillard. She was amazing as Edith Piaf, and recently, I watched Rust and Bone and liked that performance, too. I like Mr. Renner's films, but not Mr. Phoenix's so much after seeing The Master. He is just hard for me to watch. Our paper had rated this film and A-, again, pretty decent for our paper. Handsome liked it, but me? Not as much.

A reason why this film was difficult for me was (spoiler alert) taking advantage of someone in a difficult situation and that someone is clueless. Yes, that's what makes the film. Despite the good acting, great set and period costumes which really caught New York's flavor, I wasn't in love with the movie. Just a little satisfied. Does that makes sense?

FMI: The Immigrant

@VickiBatman - #Needlepoint passion. New pillow #MFRWblog

Writing isn't my only passion. I love needlepoint.

I started a new project this past week, a pillow. I hadn't done one in a while and saw this one in a catalog. It fit so well with my family room's décor. I have done nothing in needlepoint for that room. (Adorning with my handbag doesn't count. LOL)

So I started with this:




Frownie face. I should have known. No painted canvas. HOWEVER, upon long examination this canvas wasn't so bad after all. The pattern had a good layout on the canvas and a great color guide. Only one simple bargello stitch and I took off. At the end of week 1, I had this:





Aren't the color combos great? I am amazed at how fast this is going. Wish me luck!

FINISHED!!! Took approximately four weeks and have finished the pillow top. I like it so much, I ordered the sister pillow. Here it is:


Are you a crafty person?

.@VickiBatman ~ Sigh. I just love beautiful handbags w guest Andrea Cooper #MFRWorg #PlottingPrincesses

If you are like me, you can't wait to see what treasure will appear on


~Handbag Monday~

Today, my guest is Andrea Cooper, author of Viking Fire. Andrea has brought the most exquisite Chanel bag.


  This is a Chanel Red Quilted Caviar Grand Shopper Tote (GST) Handbag with Gold hardware. The average cost is $3,000-used. (Way out of my price range.) The exterior is burgundy red lambskin leather. The interior is lined in grey satin. I love the color and we no longer have to have our purses match our shoes and I think red gives a pop of color to any outfit. I also like that it's big enough for all my things including my Kindle. It also features the signature CC twist logo. A replica (fake) Chanel Caviar starts at $200 and up (still way out of my price range :) 

OMG, Andrea. I could only dream of having a bag like this one. You might have to share with me. LOL. The color is my favorite: Red.


 Blurb: A feisty Irish lass in a battle of wills against her betrothed - a Viking! Find Viking Fire at: Amazon Find Andrea at: Website  I had the privilege of interviewing Andrea on Coffee Time Romance. Find our chat at:  Coffee Time Romance   Thanks for being my guest today, Andrea!

Are You a #Movie Maniac? A few tidbits about The Rover

Let's share some tidbits about The Rover on #Movie Maniac:



Several of my friends and I were chatting about upcoming films and we mentioned this one. The Rover caught our eyes when we saw the movie trailer, mostly because we like actor Guy Pearce. We went on to mention several of his films we'd seen and commented, "Oh, he's so good in that." "...and that." LOL

Handsome and I go to a movie almost every weekend, and I mentioned wanting to see this one, saying our paper, which rarely gives a good rating to any movie, had given it a B+.  He asked what it was about and I just said, "Guy Pearce is in it." That made it good enough.

The Rover is a 2014 Australian  futuristic western that takes place in the Australian outback, ten years after a global economic collapse. The film features Guy Pearce, Robert Pattinson, and Scoot McNairy. The director co-authored the film with actor Joel Edgerton (Kinky Boots).

Handsome didn't like it at all. Neither did a friend. BUT I did. I didn't like the blood splatter. And I've mentioned before in talking about movies how I don't like gratuitous blood splatter. I've thought about this movie a lot.

Guy Pearce's car is stolen and he wants it back--BAD. He joins forces with the thief's brother, played very well by Robert Pattinson, to get it. I guessed why and maybe that's because of the writer in me. Handsome and my friend were quite surprised at the ending.

In an interview with Mr. Pearce, Mr. Pattinson, and the director, the interviewer said he had always wanted to go to Australia, but after seeing this film????? LOL. Well, every town has trashed out areas, IMHO.

FMI: The Rover

What's #cooking? Easy peasy Spaghetti Pie @VickiBatman #MFRWorg

This is a favorite my sister shared from long ago. If you are a pasta fan, try:


Spaghetti Pie



6 oz cooked spaghetti
1 egg, separated
1/3 C grated parmesan cheese
1 1/4 C marinara sauce
3/4 C ricotta cheese
1 tsp dried oregano
1 c shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 lb. ground beef

Heat oven to 375 F. In a medium bowl, combine spaghetti, egg white, and parmesan cheese. Place mixture in a 9 or 10 inch pie plate already sprayed with cooking spray. Cook beef until brown. Add sauce, stirring and cooking for 5 more inmutes. Set aside. In a medium bowl, combine egg yolk, ricotta, oregano, and 1/2 cup mozzarella. Spread over spaghetti mixture in the pie plate; spread meat sauce over cheese and top with remaining mozzarella. Cover with nonstick foil and bake for 25 minutes; remove foil and bake 10 minutes more. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing into wedges.

Options: substitute Italian sausage for beef. Substitute Italian seasoning for oregano. Low-fat subs nicely.

.@VickiBatman ~ #Handbag Monday guest author M.S. Kaye and oooh lala #MFRWorg #PlottingPrincesses

Dancing and singing over here at:

~Handbag Monday~
And my special guest today is M. S. Kaye. She's brought a lovely Coach to share. Take a look:

 
Sequins and Coach...need I say more? This was my Christmas present a few years ago from my hubby (though I picked it lol). I’m not normally a sequin girl, usually more of a plain black or brown gal, so this one took some guts. And I love it. Sparkles are preeeetty. And what makes it prettier is what we paid—Coach outlet with a 30% coupon and a 5% coupon. Only paid about $40!
  Wow! What a great score!!! I'll go handbag shopping with you. LOL   Kindling the Past: Kindle’s visions of the past threaten to destroy her and the people she loves. Find Kindling the Past at: Amazon  Find M. S. Kaye at: Website   Thank you so much M. S. Kaye for being with me on Handbag Monday! And don't forget to include moi on your next shopping trip!