Nacheska's Weblog

Beads and Beignets; time for Mardi Gras Madness!

nacheska — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:26:35 +0000

Fun times in our store with costumes, beads, masks and merriment as Mardi Gras approaches. We have crowns, capes, jesters, masks and a huge array of beads to help with your event or just to dress up for the day at your workplace! Imagine your Rubber Duckie beads bringing a smile to all who see you (and they will be wishing that they thought of it first) So come on in to our little Shoppe or visit your own local costume shop to celebrate the Louisiana tradition of Mardi Gras with color and creativity.

Need an idea for your own Mardi Gras party? We have an amazing murder mystery if you want to host a party called “ Murder at the Mardi Gras”….includes invitations and the little scripts for your friends. I have done this Murder Mystery party and it was a riot. It is amazing what donning a costume will do for some people…they really get into it! We were so busy having fun that no one really noticed the clues so only one person guessed the murderer.

Below is a recipe for Beignets for a sweet treat: (feel free to share with lots of friends for even more fun!)

Ingredients

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup evaporated milk
7 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup shortening
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

Directions

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar, salt, eggs, evaporated milk, and blend well. Mix in 4 cups of the flour and beat until smooth. Add the shortening, and then the remaining 3 cups of flour. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours.
Roll out dough 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 2 1/2 inch squares. Fry in 360 degree F (180 degrees C) hot oil. If beignets do not pop up, oil is not hot enough. Drain onto paper towels.
Shake confectioners’ sugar on hot beignets. Serve warm.

Merry Mardi Gras…

Happy Make Believe!!

Nacheska

Filed under: Party Ideas, Recipes

The Aging Dancer

nacheska — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:15:22 +0000

As an aging dancer over 50, I have noticed in the last year physiological traits such as joint stiffness and foot sensitivity to abrupt pressure. (Metatarsal pain not exactly Metatarsalgia) I am certain these are common to other aging dancers but uncertain whether this might be common to all aging folks of other occupations. I still dance at least 5 to 12 times (hours) weekly teaching classes or just putting together choreography but I do not noticed increase or decrease in these new aches and pains if I move more or less (though I rarely move less). After exploring articles on the internet, I found very few, if any about the “aging” dancer and how we might age differently than other folks. Should I expect more joint pain or less…am I susceptible to more arthritis or less? What about hips…are they more likely to break because of mileage or less likely because of good nutrition and exercise? This blog is a call to other dancers of any venue who might have insight into how a dancer ages differently because of the stresses we subject our body to…I have done extensive (in order of the most to least) Modern, Belly Dance, Ballet, Gymnastics, Hula, Tap, Flamenco, Ballroom…what about you? Is this related to folks who have parents with arthritis…do dancers get arthritis more or less and what factors do genetics play…Can you share your experience and articles with me?

Posted in Belly Dance, The aging dancer

Yee Haw! Ideas for a Wild West Party

nacheska — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:41:24 +0000

Cowboy/cowgirl
Maverick
Cattle rancher
Southern belle
Barkeep
Saloon girl
Stagecoach driver
Trail boss
Gunfighter/outlaw
Lawman
Texas oilman
Roughrider
Farmer/farmer’s daughter
Scarecrow
School teacher
Horse
C&W singer

Parson/preacher
Blacksmith
Barbershop singer/piano player
Show girl
Rhinestone cowboy/cowgirl
Rodeo clown
Bull rider
Square dancer
Country doctor
Bank/stagecoach robber
Gold/coal miner
Railroad engineer
Town mayor
Shop/inn keeper
Confederate soldier
Cow
Native American Indian

Howdy from Texas…here are some great characters for a wild and wooly West Party…you can name it uniquely too… How the West was won (or Lost) Costume Party, Wild West Costume Party, Southwest Soiree, Steppin’ Out Texas Style, or Costumed Cowboy Party…some ideas for Character costumes are above….so put on your boots and step up and host some good western fun!

Always here for fun because your fun is my business…

Nacheska

Posted in Costumes, Party Ideas

Make up can make you Marvelous this season…Halloween help

nacheska — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:14:18 +0000

Wow Halloween is not only fun for costuming but with some fabulous makeup you can enhance your costume and yourself. Think bling for faeries, princesses, and glamour. (we carry an awesome line called LA Splash (lasplashcosmetics.com), Mehron professional stage makeup for heavy pigments, awesome face painting and amazing F/X (can you say Zombie?, vampire punctures, and realistic injuries) Mehron is great for this.

LASplash has glitters, mineral makeup, gel glitter eye and body colors in 300 colors….the lip glitters and glosses are eye popping and each piece is only 3.99 here at Odyssey. I have added glitter to lips for an ice princess look…very realistic.

Eyelashes are the most wonderful enhancer to all costumes for the ladies…they make your eyes pop and this is the one night we can go crazy (though we wore them everyday in the 60’s) They are a must with 60’s costumes and we give you a free ‘how to apply’ video with any makeup purchase over $10…so give eyelashes and some heavier colors a try for this holiday…you will be glad you did…being washed out in a gala party just won’t work.

You can get crazy with prosthetics…but that is another article…we have some ready made or you can make something yourself.

So whether you are ghoul or gorgeous glamour, do not forget the make-up…step out of your comfort zone and make people take notice and once again….have great FUN!

Posted in Costumes, Fun Stuff

Killing Germs…dispelling some myths and the good news!

nacheska — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:50:32 +0000

So I am listening to my sweet Grandaughter singing Happy Birthday while washing her hands and so I ask about it. My daughter says it gives her a timeline to kill the germs since children do everything in hyperspeed… which is true. Well I knew that Antibacterial Soap did not have much benefit over regular soap (AARP article “Mythbusters”) but little did I know the great benefits of alcohol based hand sanitizers. (and AVON has them for just 1.99 ) It turns out alcohol, vinegar, lemon juice and bleach are great at murdering the really bad e-coli and other staph germs (though bleach is probably not the best choice environmentally) So according to the experts at FDA then washing with antibacterial soap is about the same as plain soap and water…the period of time is important so sing Happy birthday 3 times or just sing…good for the world and good for your health…bad for germs.

Posted in AVON, Family, Life lessons

Remembering Mom

nacheska — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:17:05 +0000

My mom abruptly went to heaven today…and though I was ready…I was not. This woman went through polio, an abusive father and many financial hardships and this was her childhood. When she met my dad at a diner/honkey tonk, their mutual hardships and survivor mentality was their bond. They were married over 50 years with rich lives full of children, grandchildren and blessings. Strangely, when speaking to my siblings, we all have different “special” memories of my mom. Here are mine:

Though my mom was strict, she was always super-duper pampering when I sick…seven up, soup, a loving hand on my feverish forehead…her undivided attention in a large family….sadly, I was not sick much.

When I had my last child, the forth, it was very difficult on me and my body and my mom (who was working full time) took time off to spend with me. Wow, what a pleasure to have her change diapers, talk to me, and fix me meals when I was weak and overwhelmed.

Weirdly, a lot of us in the family cooked…but what do I love about my mom is her recipe for…are you ready for this?…egg salad…yes, I now make the best egg salad ever….thanks mom…

She was very willing to help me at my little Shoppe at the craziest time…Halloween….she would answer the phone oh so sweetly when all the rest of us regular employees were running around in circles like loony birds…and she liked it…I believe she even thrived and “looked forward” to this time with me. I know I did…one more time

THANKS MOM…though I will miss you…you are back with Daddy now…in Gods loving hands…

Posted in Family

Belly Dance makes you Beautiful

nacheska — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 12:25:30 +0000

: Dancers of Odyssey

There is a magic to BellyDance that is different for everyone…it embraces you in it’s ancient arms as a wonderful dance for young and (in my case) old whether you have absolutely no dance experience or have danced all your life. Wow! It absolutely has the power to transform your life and each dancer has a different story. Let me share a few…

One of my students was going through a horrible divorce, had put on 60 pounds and was feeling overwhelmed, sad, and ugly. She related to me that literally this one little class I was teaching at a local recreation center was the one bright spot during very depressing, “just get to the next moment” days. I moved to my own studio and she followed as an avid student. She wound up being the absolute best dancer in my troupe, an high energy teacher and was a joy to watch and see with her sparkling smile and silly demeanor on stage.

Another stopped me after class to tell me that she started the class when her children were gone from home to fill a void and curiosity…now she actually has trained well and teaches this class herself.

My story as a dance teacher of Ballet, Modern and Jazz is probably typical…Ballet can wear out a body in two decades and the strain on bones is the hardest…especially when one is teaching 30 hours a week and trying to raise a family. There is a new muscle pain or stress everyday and then you are over 40 knowing that something has to give but you must dance…Belly Dance fills that void with challenges, grace and ease to the body.

Sometimes I see students come into class with a misguided notion that bellydance is some kind of hoochie mama indulgence only to find that it has technique, style and grace that is compared to Ballet (which is a much younger dance style by the way)

When you are fluffy, Belly Dance does not care. It wraps it moves around you with style and grace…When you are thin it can make you look like you have an imposing presence, when you are sad it can bring you joy…when you are young it makes your dance mature…if you are mature, it makes you move youthfully…and the costumes???? Wow! (but that is another article)

I just read an article that wanted to figure out why Belly Dance makes you beautiful. It is what it is…ancient earth mother of dance for us all, nurturing the best in us.

Posted in Belly Dance

Is Texting the next opportunity to be rude…

nacheska — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:10:23 +0000

As a Shop owner, there is rarely a day when a customer comes into the store that is not huddled over their phone while trying to do business with me…they want service but their attention is distracted and I wonder if the event they are going to (since they need something from my fun make believe store) will have their undivided attention. I know I did not get their attention. I have seen teens out on dates sitting at a table texting. Are they texting each other? Have they lost all social skills? My opinion does not count to them but even college students have seen that it is distracting when discussing it among their peers. There are some that just don’t get it still…that they are saying loud and clear …this person on this text is more important than you are….once again “Do I matter to you?” and the offender is clearly saying no.

This may be the next opportunity for a book in Sociology, “the effects of cell and text use in communication” (if it has not already been written) The question is, do I now add this to my ban of cell phone use while requesting service? Now I say (along with the signs in my Shop) “I will be happy to help you when you are off of your cell”. What verbage is next? Don’t text while you try to talk to me? Talking is quicker so put the phone away for another time at play??? If anyone who owns a business has come up with a pleasant solution please let me know…because these are nice people with an ugly habit.

Posted in Life lessons, Women in Business

A hmmm moment…why can’t schools of higher learning figure out how to design enough parking spaces for everyone attending?

nacheska — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:18:24 +0000

There are many great mysteries to life…but this one always stumps me. I am very impressed with college campuses of all types and have been to many. But of University of Texas at El Paso, TCU, SMU, University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Womans University, Texas Weslyan University, and our local Junior college parking spaces are like gold …complete treasures and impossible to find making many students (myself including) late to class in the search of the elusive resting place for our vehicle. Whenever I am looking for an ice breaker question I ask…did you have enough parking spaces at your college…everyone I have ever chatted with says “no”…so what about it? Has anyone out there ever always had a place to park (commuter students only)

Isn’t this simple Mathematics? so many students…so many vehicles…so much space needed to park? I am certain that this would be a great problem or study for any math dept…so tell me please…where are the appropriate amount of parking places at institutions of higher education?

Until the next mystery of the modern world…Happy hunting! (of parking spaces, that is…)

Posted in Life lessons

Party theme ideas for Adults

nacheska — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:12:01 +0000

Day after Day peeps come into my Shoppe and I get to hear great ideas for their parties and share these ideas with others so if you are stuck for a theme for your next shindig then here are some ideas for you:

Murder Mystery anyone – the upside to this boxed game (Murder at the Mardis Gras, Honky Tonk Homicide, A taste for Wine and Murder etc…) is that all the work except food is done for you and that your guests have some responsibility for their own fun here. You send out the pre-printed invites, they wear items or costumes to go with their assigned “character” and show up. There are food and decoration tips and this is always fun…(I have done two) The downside is that if you are a super popular host then these games are usually limited to 8-12 people total so you should pick the most dependable dramatic friends to invite. The night goes quickly…I must warn you.

Wine and Wig party – OK, so you just want to have a fun casual social event and you are worried people will run out of things to talk about. If the wine does not loosen their tongues, then the intriguing choice of wigs will…Each person wears some type of wig…and there are lots to choose from in my Shoppe and possibly the odd creepy looking one left over from some Halloween in your child’s toy chest. The upside is the fun conversation and simple preparation (buy wine, drink wine…adding a few appetizers) Also, I love the sound on the tongue of WINE AND WIG

…the downside is…who is the guy in that blue troll wig?

Retro Party – These are hugely popular and can be themed or not…you can just say “Retro” and people can choose an era that is gone…you can say “Disco” encompassing 70’s and 80’s….you can say “Hippie” encompassing 60’s and 70’s casual fun….but be careful because if you say 70’s, they may come as 1770 as a colonist or 1870 as a Victorian or pioneer styling…people do have fun with semantics…

I like it being open “Retro party” and then you can see what creative friends you have. (or not)…WARNING: as with all parties, there will be the few that will want to attend but not dress….my niece put on her costume party invitation that those not in costume would be given a trash bag to wear…and she enforced it!!

A day at the Races or Ham in a Hat party - Its all about what’s on the top of your head…not necessarily what in your head…we all have a favorite hat or would like a reason to get a new one…so grab your hat…any fun hat…and show up for some fun.

Superheros Soiree - This is curiously enlightening …what would Bob at the office wear as a superhero? What would your superpower be…do you look good in tights? Well invite your friends and gather as superheros should….for super supper or scrumptious snacks…

Star Wars, Star Trek, Pirate, TV personality, Movie Personality, Will Farrell party, Broadway, Academy Award Party, A day at the Races, Saturday Night Live Party, Alice in Wonderland Party, Wizard Party (Wiz, Wiz of OZ, Harry Potter, Gandolf would all work at a party like this) Masquerade Party, Beautiful Bug party….one of my favs is “come as what you wanted to be when you grew up” party….

OK, these are a few…and I am certain you know more…so add a comment or two about your great ideas!

Posted in Costumes, Fun Stuff