Cow hide ottomans? Hells yes

Merc Bar
SoHo
151 Mercer Street (b/w Houston and Prince Streets)
New York, NY 10012
347-694-4416
www.mercbar.com

Merc Bar almost made me forget that I was in New York City as the atmosphere transported me back to my favorite ski lodge in Pennsylvania. But then I looked around and realized that there were no mullets or flannel shirts to be found and breathed a sigh of relief. The bar is dark and mostly wood-clad with deer-antlers and a hanging canoe for decorative accent. The front area consists of low-lying couches and ottomans (with eclectic prints including what I think was real cowhide!) which create sexy nooks for couples or relaxed lounge areas for group socialization. Just position yourself away from these too-cozy couples. On a nice night the front wall is completely open creating an open-air atmosphere perfect for people watching of the beautiful SoHo crowd. Merc Bar creates a truly unique vibe of a classy-yet-rustic mountain lodge...just make sure not to sit for too long on the cowhide in a short skirt. Leave chafing to the real cowboys.
Rating: 4 stars

Reality TV has outdone itself

I don't know how this gem of a show slipped by me, but I am ashamed of myself. But perhaps I should be even more ashamed of the fact that I spent three straight hours of my life watching this trash yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. Rehab: Party at the Hard Rock Hotel airs on truTV and follows the behind the scenes action of the Sunday "Rehab" party at this Vegas mega-pool. And by action I obvi mean Guidos and white trash from around the world getting wasted and rubbing up on each other in gold lame' bikinis. Mix that in with the staff drama including the ever-challenging life of a cocktail waitress, security guards who like to yell, drunk people being rushed to the hospital, and a seemingly-normal manager who must secretly question how his life has come to this, and you have the recipe for the perfect reality show. This is a new low in media and I am proud of this show's creators for giving television viewers what we really want. Which is: sluts. Lots of them.

Bonus round!

Normally I don't blog about Idol results night because nothing actually happens. And I especially wasn't planning on blogging tonight because I wanted to just kick back and relax, but as I've been watching the red carpet on the TV Guide channel my bitchery just couldn't contain itself so here we go. A mini-live blog if you will.

Jason Castro is definitely high. But that's no surprise. Homeboy arrived so early because he woke up from a nap and couldn't find a clock so just but out his blunt and rolled out. But don't worry, he packed one for later.

Also pretty sure Chikezie is drunk. No one wears a sailor hat because they're sober.

I find it very funny when finalists who were the first to be eliminated walk the carpet like they're hot ish. David "I used to be a gay stripper" Hernandez, I'm talking to you. You're actually lucky you were a stripper because otherwise we'd have nothing to remember you by.

They even let someone we don't even remember do the actual red carpet interviews, hi Brandon Rogers! For not doing Idol Gives Back this year they certainly still kept up the charity work.

Bringing back Nick Mitchell aka "Norman Gentle" just made my life!! (remember shiny rainbow shirt guy?) Now all they need is that Nathaniel guy who rocked the lip piercing and Kate Gosselin haircut. And ya know, he was pretty gay too.

Omg, this Black Eyed Peas performance with backup dancers in black and white optical illusion print full body stockings complete with face mask are tripping me out like woah. Jason Castro is loving this. Plus did anyone see the quick shot of Megan Cockery doing some robotic slut dance? Not to mention the boo-boo where clearly either someone said something naughty or the control room staff effed up. Loves the production value this season.

Can someone just silence Kara and inform her that her 15 minutes are over? Seriously annoying. Do not try to mess with Katrina. Long live Bikini Girl!

Of course Adam Lambert's performance with Kiss (and his cage-like jacket/platform boot fashion combo) was amazing and like nothing anyone has ever seen before on the Idol stage. Not that we have much control at this point, but if he doesn't win after that somethin ain't right yo.

Megan Cockery and Daisy de la Hoya of Rock and Daisy of Love fame have nearly identical moon tattoos on their shoulders. Great hoes think alike.

It's now the end, and I'm laughing. Great job voting, America. Here's wrapping up a great season lol. No really, I'm laughing out loud.

Sad news

Audrina Patridge of The Hills is said to be dating none other than uber-hottie and man of the hour, Chris Pine. They've been canoodling at bars in LA and Las Vegas, and she's even been seen leaving his apartment in the wee hours of the morning. This is sad not only because the star of one of the biggest movie re-makes of all time is dating a reality tv wannabe starlet, but it also crushes my own romantic fantasies and image of him having a good on his shoulders. You know what Patti Stanger says, men think with their pecker.

I'm also very frustrated by the fact that Chris Pine is being dubbed an "overnight success" and all of a sudden every woman and gay man in America are swooning. I've been on the Pine train since 2004 so back off bitches, I discovered him first! He's getting all this recognition for Star Trek, but we're forgetting about two other major movies he's made in the past, Just My Luck (with Lindsay Lohan) and The Princess Diaries 2: A Royal Engagement. Those were some great films! I've been melting over The Princess Diaries for five years now and love seeing Chris in this sexy, seductive, ro-co leading man role. I watched my DVD of the film again for the billionth time this weekend and was lost in his magic all over again, he's a prince for gosh sake! People that are just taking note of his hotness now (like Miss Patridge) clearly just don't deserve him as much as I do. I have longevity on my side...as I like to imagine he does too. Ow ow!

Live Blogging: American Idol

Welcome to the final AI live blog of the season. I have my bottle of Andre popped because this is clearly an occasion worthy of celebration. Watching good slaughter def calls for cheap champagne.

8:00pm - Clips of interviews from the pretty one and the god of eyeliner at their first auditions, scenes of past performances, yada yada. Did I mention Adam was my fav from the first audition? Yah, I so called this.

8:02pm - Ryan has dubbed this as "the guy next door vs the guyliner". Couldn't have said it better myself. Translation: boring vs exciting and FIERCE!

8:04pm - Both contestants come out and Kris looks nervous as hell. Well he should be! Ryan also announces that the three performance categories for the night will be a favorite previous performance from the season, a song chosen by creator Simon Fuller, and the new "Idol song" written by Kara. In other words, something boring and horrible about how far they've made it and how they're living their dreams.

8:05pm - Annnnnd we're already in a commercial before any performances have even happened. Cock teases.

8:10pm - Oh hells yes Adam just rose up from the floor wearing a total Neo coat for his "Mad World" performance! Good choice my friend. And he even switches up the vocals from his own performance. Bow down bitches!

8:12pm - Although he left out the big final note. I blame it on the smoke machine...and Kara.

8:15pm - Aren't we past the point where we call Adam's performances "theatrical" as criticism? What, like that's unexpected?

8:18pm - Kris sings "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone" (while playing the piano obvi) and I'm pretty sure he's trying to lose on purpose. This could not be more boring and safe.

8:19pm - Could Randy maybe mix another print that doesn't match into his outfit tonight? 2 plaids and a polkadot just aren't enough.

8:21pm - Despite the judges being nice in their comments to Kris (stop, he's a big boy, he can handle the truth), I give round 1 to Adam...obvi.

8:25pm - Simon Fuller's pick for our favorite glamazon: "Change is Gonna Come". And he's giving great constipated face and rocking an amazing shiny silver suit.

8:27pm - Thank goodness he pulled out the big notes on this song, I think he may have needed it after Simon C gave round 1 to Kris (wtf?!)

8:29pm - The judges also seem to have their panties in a bunch over that performance (glad I'm not the only one who has this confusing reaction). They've pretty much agreed it was his best performance of the season!

8:35pm - Kris has been assigned "What's Going On". Unfortunately I think he's actually going to do really well with this. Dammit!

8:38pm - Ugh that was really good! Although it so isn't fair that Kris is hiding behind his guitar and piano all night. But what's up with all this talkity talk about social awareness in song choice tonight? I like my Idol better full of only fluff and rainbows. Round 2 Adam, but it was closer than I'd like to admit.

8:44pm - Adam is making this painful "No Boundaries" song by Kara actually tolerable. Don't love it, these songs written for the first Idol single are always pretty bad, but I can get behind this for what it is with Adam's wide range of vocals and emotion. Well done, and let's just hope that Kris's version is as boring as these songs usually are.

8:48pm - Simon just outright dissed Kara's song. Loves it! But don't love the less-than-enthusiastic critiques from the judges. Do they really think Kris can do any better with that garbage?

8:54pm - Kris, picking up the mic stand and thrusting about will still not make you or this song anything better than mediocre. Nice effort though, number 2.

8:57pm - Without saying so directly, the judges pretty much just told Kris that sucked, he has no shot at winning, and to just enjoy being on the stage while he can. Finally people have been snapped back to reality.

8:59pm - Clearly based on tonight and the whole season Adam deserves to win, but let's get serious for a moment and theorize about this. The interesting thing about the final two is that it's the only time in Idol voting where you can play defence. Throughout the season we vote offensively, voting for the person we like the best or want to save. Since the odds are now 50/50, if you truly dislike a contestant (and in this case I suspect there may be some Lambert-haters), you can vote for their opponent and that vote will directly impede the success of the person you don't like. Therefore, the results tonight really could swing either way, much like the contestants themselves (heh). Also, the fact that Kris has even made it this far, beating out several competitors who were probably more worthy, shows that he does have a an base and does have people voting for him. Tonight is truly an occasion where every vote counts.

That being said, we all know I'm a total Adam-hag, but I'm not sure I want him to win this shindig. Clearly he deserves to, but as an artiste winning may not be the best thing for his career. Simon Fuller basically owns the winner. You are his pet precious for like two years or something like that. You have to put out an album full of safe songs written by the likes of Kara. You have to come back next year and pretend to care. Do we really want that for Adam? Does he even want that? If he really does (which I think he actually may) then let's give it to him. Because if Adam can't be happy with me, well then I just want him to be happy.

Almost vom-worthy...but not quite

Just when I was about to go vom from the maple syrup that was the Gossip Girl season finale, they saved it in the last 4 minutes. Thank goodness because I was thisclose to throwing in the towel and giving up on the third season where coincidentally most of the main characters are still going to be in Manhattan, shocker. They threw in just the right amount of dramatic cliff hangers to make up for the rest of the episode where we celebrated how much we love everyone and how important our high school friendships are. Give me a break, high school sucked and in real life most of these people would lose touch before Chuck can cheat on Blair with one of his college professors.

Now off to watch Jillian inevitably get her heart broken all over again on the season premiere of The Bachelorette. I kid, I actually really like Jillian and wish her the best, but we can't ignore the obvi. xoxo.

Just another not-so pretty face

Nooooooo! What have they done to the hotness that was Bruce Jenner? Back in the day he was obviously a hot piece and a certified heartthrob, and I stand by the fact that he still looked dead sexy after the first face lift. Well, Bruce thought that doctor did a bad job and recently went back under the knife for a second "corrective" face life. This was the result. I weep. Bruce has officially been crossed off my list of old man crushes, and I must abandon my fantasy of a father/son threesome with him and Brody Jenner after seeing this. Don't judge me, you know you have some inner kink too.

This person that used to be Bruce can be seen on Keeping Up With The Kardashians, and is survived by The Hills "star" Brody, his gaggle of step-children, and a few others biological children that no one knows or cares about.

Picture from Ability Films

Just another pretty face

The Cabanas at the Maritime Hotel
Meatpacking District
363 West 16th Street (at 9th Avenue)
New York, NY 10011
212-243-3888

If you manage to avoid the door and guest list drama and make it into The Cabanas, expect to be initially seduced by the beautiful open-air atmosphere. And then like most seductions, be prepared to be let down as you continue to explore beneath the surface. The "roof-top bar" title that The Cabanas carries is only partially true, the hotel towers still surround the bar area on every side. And don't expect any actual cabanas, but rather a 3/4 roof-esque cover. The clientele at The "Cabanas" think they're too cool for school and refuse to socialize, when in reality most of them are just glorified B&T in skanky metallic dresses. The drink prices are high which is to be expected, but they don't even seem to carry any selections in the moderately priced range (a $22 glass of Veuve is their cheapest and I think only champagne option...what ever happened to good ole Prosecco?). Don't even get me started on the bathroom lines. In a 5000+ square foot bar, I would think one could expect more than two stalls in the women's room. They don't let massive crowds in so I suppose claustrophobia isn't an issue, but with mediocre music and lame people The Cabanas is simply another pretty face with no personality or life once you get to know it.
Rating: 2 stars

Live Blogging: American Idol

8:04pm - I love how they used to have to sing 3 songs when they were in the top 3, but now that they added a useless fourth judge they only have to sing 2. Which means no Clive Davis pick. Kara ruins everything.

8:06pm - I have no clue what the hell this song Paula picked for Danny actually is, but he's killing it. He so needed to after last week's catastrophe.

8:14pm - Kris has chipped blue nail polish on during his at-home visit when he's checking his "surprise" cell phone with his song assignment text. Someone's been spending too much time with Glambert.

8:16pm - And his version of "Apologize" is boring me to tears. Even his pretty face can't keep me entertained through this crap. Because it actually isn't as pretty as I originally thought.

8:20pm - Why are the judges even pretending like that was finals-worthy? I hate how they're rigging their comments this season!! At least Simon is putting these bitches in their place.

8:25pm - Now look at the god of eyeliner's nails. Flawless, un-chipped, and fierce!

8:28pm - If you just watched Adam's performance of U2's "One", along with the two mediocre-messes that preceded it, and still don't think that Adam deserves to win...you don't deserve to be watching this show and clearly aren't cool enough to be reading this blog. We are not friends.

8:31pm - As fierce as The Glambert usually is, let it be known that he is wearing a Canadian Tuxedo tonight. Hot mess.

8:36pm - That is a rockin remix of Toto that is playing in the "Carrie Underwood is so goodhearted because she does a forced visit to an African village" video clip. Though somewhat expected.

8:39pm - We just wasted a whole segment between commercials to watch Carrie Underwood play with starving orphans. Really?

8:45pm- The Gokster just seduced every woman in America into voting for him with "You Are So Beautiful To Me". Yet I'm still voting for the gay guy. Go figure.

8:49pm - The judges swooned over it. And The Gokster made a heart with his fingers. Welcome to the finals.

8:50pm - Kris Allen, who they conveniently remind us is from Arkansas, is singing Kanye West's "Heartless". One of these things is not like the other one... Good vocal I guess but what the hell was that? Awkward turtle...

8:52pm - America, STOP LISTENING TO THE JUDGES RIGHT NOW!! They are messing with your brains. That was awkwardly bad, NOT innovative. Did you see the episode of that performing arts high school show on MTV where the annoying white girl sang "Heartless" in the school talent show, or "showcase" as it's called when these schools take themselves too seriously? Yah, Kris was worse.

8:57pm - Adam, you need to kick so much ass to counteract the manipulation these judges are pulling tonight! I am worried for you. Work! *snaps fingers*

9:00pm - Homeboy turned it out with "Cryin" (early Aerosmith, right Kara?). And thank goodness. That was incredible.

9:03pm - Annnnnd what time is it? If this isn't a Gokster/Glambert finale there is something wrong with the world. If Adam gets cut I refuse to watch next week because I wouldn't be able to stand the sight of him in the group numbers wasting his best years waving a rose in the back of a corps, because he's better than that.

Cookie to anyone who gets the movie reference.

Don't judge, these are FIERCE!

This weekend I was in the glorious place that is Atlantic City and between being a baller at the blackjack tables and penny slots with the old ladies, I made it over to the semi-new The Walk outlet shops. Overall impressive, but the gem find of the excursion was a pair of BCBG jelly gladiator sandals. Yes, jellies, as in the gummy plastic shoes from the early 90's which also made a resurgence in the late 90's in a platform version. Well they're back like Backstreet bitches, and they're fierce! Nary did I think that legit designers would actually manufacture jellies, and I must admit that I chuckled a bit as I strutted around the BCBG store trying on my rose-colored pair. Perhaps I'm looking at this whole experience through rose-colored glasses. There must be a reason that these came out last summer and have now made their way in large quantities to the outlet stores for $9 a pair (originally only $28), but I don't care because they're my jellies and I love them.

And if you have a problem, take it up with Max.

Blast from the Past: Third Eye Blind

Before we get started, let's just enter this into the record books as what happens when I blog after spending a desperate hour on an online dating site, drinking two glasses of merlot, and deciding it was a good idea to put my fake glasses on and pretend that Im indie. Trust me, merlot and email don't mix, so I am proofreading this entry very carefully.

Blast from the Past: Third Eye Blind!

Remember circa 1997 when you were in circa middle school and this was a band that you could listen to which was mainstream accessible but you still felt like you had a lil rock street cred? That's what 3eb is to me. They broke when I was in 7th grade and I totes copped that shit, meaning their self-titled debut album. Okay, so did a lot of people, but I actually listened to the whole thing and not just "Semi Charmed Life". To this day I can still sing a majority of the album from memory including the sped-up extra-extended bridge in the aforementioned song. Cudos to me. Memories I have of this album include everyone thinking they were so cool and indie for listening to "Jumper", and also "Graduate" playing in The Real World: Seattle while they were white water rafting or something like that. Actually, pretty much 90% of this album made it into that season of The Real World in some form or another. It was just kinda the defining sound of that time. 3eb's second album Blue was also pretty kick A.

Years later, 3eb would play a free show at my college's University Weekend. Everybody went and relished in how much they used to love this band, yet most people only knew two songs. My friend Alex would stare at me in amazement as I sang along with most of the concert, and I would explain that's just how I rolled back in the day. And then another four years later in 2009 I would randomly decide to constantly spin their entire catalogue on my ipod and love every minute of it. With bands from the same era like No Doubt and Sugar Ray reuniting I guess it just feels so gooood. Plus, I never realized it but I guess Stephan Jenkins is kind of a hottie. Yah, I'd tap that....but probably get The Herp in the process.

You know it's almost summer when the sangria comes out, part deux

SouthWest NY
Financial District
225 Liberty Street (in Two World Financial Center)
New York, NY 10281
212-945-0528
www.southwestny.com

Financiers and Mid-Town types alike flock to SouthWest's outdoor patio for after work drinks and stay through nightfall, and for good reason. SouthWest provides the best of a lively happy hour vibe with the right touch of class. Though in the heart of depressing investment banker-land, this bar/restaurant draws a younger and less stuffy crowd than one may expect. SouthWest boasts an impressive selection of margaritas, but I'm most impressed with their white wine sangria which is the perfect refreshing summer drink and cheap at only $6 per glass! Grab one and relax river-side at a table, or join the crowd at the outdoor mini-bar. The food menu is also quite comprehensive (and actually not at all southwestern...whatever made you think it was?) with everything from apps to fresh fish. While my friends munched on SouthWest's creative salads, I opted to look like a fat-ass in front of the cute waiter and order a burger. But that's okay because it was delicious, the wind was blowing in my hair, and it's summer so I can do whatever I want! And you know what, even in the winter the indoor component of SouthWest is still pretty damn cool.
Rating: 4 stars

Live Blogging: American Idol

8:02pm - So Ryan tells us there's been some dramz on set this week with things collapsing and shit, so I say they just make American Idol: The Action Movie. Damn good marketing ploy if I ever saw one. Also, the contestants will be doing duets tonight which should be nice and shiteous.

8:06pm - Slash is our mentor. Has anyone ever seen his eyes, for reals? He's a shady one if you ask me.

8:08pm - The god of eyeliner and glitter is debuting yet another new hair-cut and another fierce makeup look. And some man-cleve! I hate to admit it, but though Adam claims this was his favorite theme week, his performance is kind of boring me. Awesome obvi, but more expected and safe than previous weeks.

8:10pm - Kara took it upon herself to play dress-up for the theme this week wearing a studded leather jacket and some sort of slicked back glam-rock hairdo. Even the contestants got the memo that theme weeks don't mean we play dress-up...unless the producers make us. The judges loved Adam's performance, obvi. He's so pretttttty

8:17pm - This week, Allison went with Adam to his "hair girl" of over two years. Why does it not surprise me that Adam has a hair girl? Def an improvement on the look for Allison. Learn from the master, bitches!

8:19pm - So we know she can sing or whatevs, but something just sounds off about Allison's voice this week.

8:21pm - Simon suggests that Allison should have sang Queen's "Somebody to Love". Blank look on face, Allison has clearly never heard of this song. Unacceptable, she is offic dead in my book.

8:28pm - Oh goody, here's one of the promised inagural duets between Kris and Danny! It's that "Renegade" song by Styx that I always try to sing but never know the words. I can't understand them any better the way The Gokster sings them either. Nor have I ever seen such a lack of chemistry between two people on stage. So are we supposed to be judging them on this ish?

8:31pm - It seems that the judges are just as confused as I am. That's refreshing.

8:37pm - Man Candy Allen is doing "Come Together" by the Beatles. This can't possibly turn out well...

8:40pm - I believe Simon used this analogy once before, but Kris's performance was like a kitten trying to be a tiger. Gold star if anyone can find the reference. May have been Kellie Pickler.

8:42pm - Instead Simon goes with a new analogy, that the performance was like eating ice for lunch, it leaves one with nothing to remember afterwards. I say eating ice for lunch makes you skinnyyyyy. The judges pretty much agree it was bad.

8:43pm - The Gokey singing "Dream On" also cannot possibly turn out well. Stay tuned.

8:49pm - Yeahhhhh, that was just terrible. I'm also going to retract my statement about not playing dress-up. Yes, you shouldn't necessarily dress the theme, but it also doesn't work if you're singing Aerosmith while dressed like a second grade teacher, DANNY GOKEY.

8:52pm - So the judges pretty much agree that Gokey sucked, but they try to cover it to save him because the producers told them to. I'd also like to take this (and every) opportunity to point out what a moron Kara is by recommending that Gokey stick to more "early Aerosmith" like "Cryin" and "Crazy", which were released in 1993 and 1994 respectively. When was "Dream On" released? Oh yah, 1976. Booyah. Dumb bitch.

8:59pm - Now it's Adam and Allison's turn to embarrass themselves in a duet, and the god of emo is giving us what we really want by wearing tight spandex pants that show off his...less than impressive package. Not that I'll ever get to tap that. Damn. This performance was hot though dog.

9:00pm - We runneth over time again, but the bottom 2 are def going to be Man Candy and Allison because Adam is a rock god as the judges reminded us enough times tonight, and the producers will never let Hokey in the bottom. Ever. Me thinks that like Megan Cockery before him, pretty can't keep Kris Allen here any longer.

My 15 minutes

Guess who guest-blogged about The Hills for Gawker?

Give my regards to Broadway, they clearly need them

The nominations for the 2009 Tony Awards were announced today and while they were pretty much what you'd expect with Billy Elliot leading the pack, there was one choice which made me question the credibility of whoever chose these nominations. It also made me sad for the state of the Great White Way in general if pickins really are this slim.

Constantine Maroulis was nominated for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for Rock of Ages. I didn't even know we were taking this show seriously as a Broadway musi-cal. Need I mention that Constantine is a washed-up American Idol 6th place winner from four years ago? I'll admit that once upon a time I was enchanted by his flowing locks, melodic voice and famous smoldering stares, but I didn't think that ish could cut it on Broadway! Clearly I was wrong. But even I have grown up and realized that Constantine is a greasy douche bag, so why haven't the people whose opinions really matter?

Also, noticeably absent from the Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play nominations was Harry Potter's penis. Clearly this is an oversight. That lil guy did a damn good job. I guess compared to Constantine even a legitimate penis isn't enough of a dick to get a Tony nomination. Sad.

Hereeeeee comessssss Spunky!

If you actually get the reference in the subject line you can be my new BFF.

The Kentucky Derby is tomorrow and I'm pretty damn excited. I've been going to race tracks and casinos with my family since I was a wee girl so I feel these kind of events in my blood. Plus, the Derby combines three of my loves: betting on the ponies, fashion, and drinking.

I don't know for sure who I'm betting on yet, but I love gambling and tend to enjoy betting on the underdog, or at least not the top dog. Or rather, top horse, but don't discount betting on the greyhounds too. The front runner seems to be I Want Revenge with 3-1 odds. Though I actually find him (her?) appealing, I'm probably gonna put my betting dollars elsewhere in hopes of more cha-ching, and because I never think the front runner is actually gonna win. Friesan Fire is lookin pretty decent, but I think I may go with Dunkirk at 4-1. Based just on names, I like Regal Ransom, he sounds like kind of a pimp. However, I really wish they put pictures of the horses with their stats on the Kentucky Derby website. I'm seriously supposed to make a good decision without seeing a headshot? C'mon people!

Someday I totally plan on going to the Derby and rocking a killer hat. This tradition has been around forever and I love it. We should look fierce when we're gambling our money away! It's also always fun to watch the pre-race Derby coverage with the celeb red carpet. Love the fact that celebs come together and get their horse race on for one day per year. Horse races are also a great excuse to get wasted in the middle of the afternoon, and who doesn't love that? The signature drink of the Derby has always been the Mint Julep, and today I had a great Black Raspberry Julep from Belvedere Vodka. Totes got me in the mood for summer and some Derby action.

Fingers crossed for Dunkirk for me, let's get this shindig started!