They Made a Monkees (Fan) Out of Me

On Wednesday, February 29^th, I landed in Orlando ready for a three day work conference. Heading into the terminal to collect my luggage, I switched my phone out of Airplane Mode and was greeted by texts, tweets, and messages informing me that my childhood crush, Davy Jones, had died. Growing up in the 1980’s, some girls loved Joey McIntyre. Others hung posters on their bedroom walls of Scott Baio. Even more pre-teen girls debated which of “The Corey’s”, Corey Haim or Corey Feldman, was the cutest (personally, I was a Corey Haim fan.)

But for me, at the tender age of seven, my first celebrity crush was forty-two year old Davy Jones. I grew up with parents who had strict rules about what was appropriate TV viewing. Soap operas were out of the question. Married With Children? Not a chance. But anything on the “Nick at Nite” channel? You bet. I loved getting lost in the black-and-white worlds of The Donna Reed Show, Mister Ed, and The Patty Duke Show. But my favorite late night program, and one I never missed, was The Monkees. Sure it was campy and cheesy and over the top. But it was also harmless fun with catchy tunes as its soundtrack. The star of both the show and the band was a cute, British lad with a bowl cut named Davy Jones. With his deep brown eyes, pouty lips and British accent, he had me at “Cheerio!”

{Photo credit}

Then in the summer of 1987, after faithfully watching every episode of The Monkees and committing his cute face to memory, I asked my mom for the concert ticket that every American girl wanted. A chance to see The New Kids on the Block and Tiffany's Hangin’ Tough tour? Blimey! This wee diva wanted nothing more than to see her true love Davy Jones and the rest of The Monkees on their Here We Come Again tour. So, off my mom and I went to the fabulous Fox Theatre in midtown St. Louis. In true 80’s fashion, Weird Al Yankovic opened the show with such memorable hits as “Living With a Hernia” and “Addicted to the Spuds.” [Like, seriously?]

The Monkees with Weird Al, on tour in 1987
{Photo credit}

But then it was time. The lights dimmed. The band took the stage. And The Monkees (minus Michael Nesmith) started to play! At least, everyone except me seemed to think it was The Monkees. Where was the adorable, teen aged Davy Jones of the TV show? Where was the young, youthful, shaggy haired boy I daydreamed about? I stood there, one seven year old among a sea of soccer moms reliving their youth, shocked to see that my Davy Jones, the one on my Zenith TV screen every night had aged. Considerably! I was shocked and a little saddened. No one ever mentioned to me that I had been watching re-runs from twenty years before! But then, suddenly, it didn’t matter. I became lost in the lyrics that I knew by heart, the catchy melodies, and the (slightly older) band members that were The Monkees. To my seven year old self, I was in heaven.

Hearing of Davy Jones passing struck me particularly hard. He was as much a part of my past as he is my present, as much a part of my youth as he is my adulthood. Prior to its cancellation, I was looking forward to attending The Monkees reunion tour in 2011. And there’s not a jukebox that passes my radar that doesn’t get a healthy dose of Last Train to Clarksville played through its speakers. Through moves out of my childhood home and across state lines, I’ve faithfully carried with me a well worn copy of They Made a Monkee Out of Me, the collection of interviews between Davy Jones and Alan Green, first published in 1987. I was hoping to carry it with me when I attended the 2011 reunion tour in hopes of meeting my childhood crush and getting his autograph. But that was not meant to be. Instead, I’ll carry with me the memories of my first crush, my first concert, and the Monkee who made me a fan of it all, Davy Jones.

(1945 – 2012)

Cure What Ails You

This cute little blog has seen very little of me over the last week. Between traveling for work, getting my second sinus infection of the year (as the kids like to say, “Epic Fail!”), planning another work trip, and catching up with friends, I’ve had little time to update my little corner of the interwebs. But, oh, the posts I have planned! A post about the time I met the cutest reality TV stars ever. And a post about the the time I landed in Orlando, turned on my phone and received texts, tweets, and messages that my childhood crush, Davy Jones had died. But those posts are for another day. Today, here’s to lying on the couch and feeling better.

You know what else makes me feel better?

• Little Sophia Grace Brownlee strutting her little sassy self on Ellen and singing her heart out to Nicki Minaj’ Super Bass:

• A new neighborhood wine bar.
• Reading books.
• Watching movies. (Notice a pattern here?)
• Checking Groupon Getaways every day and hoping for a good deal. Anywhere. Mama needs a vaca.
• Catching up with the ladies of the OC. I use the term “ladies” loosely. Seriously, why did Vicki divorce Don? Why are Vicki and Tamra friends again? Why in the world is Gretchen dating Slade Smiley? These questions demand answers, people!
• Joining Pinterest. (Follow me at @citydiva)
• Knowing that this month’s Birchbox is on its way.
• Hopefully, this recipe for Tomato Tea cures what ails me...once and for all. 

Fabulous Finds: The Fiat 500 by Gucci

It’s no secret that my 2003 Ford Focus is on the last of its figurative little legs. 133,000 miles and counting, a crack in the wind shield, chipped paint, and a recent minor accident have all done their damage to my wee vehicle. Like many frustrated car owners before me, I've toyed with the idea of buying a new car. Perhaps one with automatic windows and locks! Heated seats! A quiet engine! Oh my!

But, when my friend Peter emailed me photos of the Fiat 500 by Gucci, I was immediately in amore.

Making its debut during New York's 2011 Fashion Week, this stylish little car is perfect for any diva with its trademark green and red Gucci accent stripes and two-tone leather interior. And girlfriends, this car comes with matching accessories!

As of tomorrow, I’ll be leaving on a jet plane for a business trip at this fabulous Orlando resort. Hope this post finds your week speeding by! 

New Restaurant Wednesday: Small Plates and Strong Drinks at Mojo Tapas Restaurant and Bar

Stessie and I at Mojo

As much as I love St. Louis and discovering new places and things to do, I also have a habit of staying in Soulard for week night dinner and drinks. But, when a place describes itself as “Sexy, Magic, Food” and THE BEST BOSS EVER* gives you a Groupon to said place, I knew I had to get myself to South Grand and Mojo Tapas Restaurant and Bar pronto!

St. Louis is made up of seventy-nine different neighborhoods with flavors and savors as diverse as the residents who reside within them. Mojo is located in the eclectic and ethnically rich neighborhood of Tower Grove South. Known for having a “flavor all its own,” Tower Grove South offers visitors a wide variety of culinary options from Afghani to Vietnamese to Lebanese and everything in between. Located just south of the sprawling Tower Grove Park, South Grand is home to a vibrant and active international community.

With its unpretentious and uncluttered interior, flowing water fixture and touches of red accents, Mojo fits right in with its South Grand neighbors. Once we perused the drink menu, we began our evening with two freshly squeezed Lemon Basil Mojitos and then studied our dinner menu. 

Chef Eric Erhard, formerly of Annie Gunn's and Boogaloo, brings to Mojo a contemporary selection of soups, salads, and tapas. We decided on the Shredded Chicken Tacos, Veal Meatballs, Spinach Feta Spanakopita, and Sautéed Garlic Chili Shrimp served over “Sexy” Grits. Everything we tried was flavorful and filling and down-right delicious.   

Need to put a little magic back into dinnertime? Get to Mojo Tapas pronto!

Friend Mojo on Facebook or view their menu and wine list on their website.

*And I’m not just saying that because she reads this blog. No, nu-uh.

Two Hearts, One Steakhouse and My First Guest Blogger!

As the self-proclaimed STLCityDiva, I like to think I know a lot about the best restaurants, the best rooftop bars and the best artisan pizza in St. Louis. But, even I can’t get to every happening spot in the city (but I try, dear readers, oh do I try.) When my co-worker, and fellow food lover, Brian offered to write a post about his experience at Sam's Steakhouse, I jumped at the chance.

A life-long St. Louisan, Brian graduated from St. Mary's High School and he and his wife Callie have been married for two years. They return to Sam’s Steakhouse time and again to experience the superb service, the Old World charm, and the award winning steaks. Sam’s Steakhouse is located just two blocks east of Grant's Farm and has been a staple of this South St. Louis neighborhood since 1991. Since then, Sam’s has been providing St. Louisans with the best steaks, seafood, and desserts.

Without further ado, I present to you STLCityDiva’s first guest blogger!

“Linda, thanks for all or your great feedback and suggestions for all things great in our wonderful city of St. Louis! My wife and I just recently spent a wonderful Valentine’s Day dinner at Sam’s Steakhouse, located in South St. Louis County. Service was fast and the food was phenomenal! We love the quaint atmosphere and old-world charm. I highly recommend starting with the traditional Caesar Salad, followed by the 8 oz. Pepper Filet (with melted bleu cheese!), and for dessert you have to try the Crème Brulee. Just wanted to pass along this little gem to your followers - this is a must visit!"

Guest blogger Brian and his adorable wife Callie

After dinner, you’re going to need to run those calories off somehow. Brian is organizing the first St. Louis area 4.2 mile "Shadow Run" to benefit the Pat Tillman Foundation, created to honor the memory of Corporal Patrick Tillman who was killed in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004 while serving with the 2^nd Ranger Battalion of the US Army. The Shadow Run will be held on Saturday, April 21 and proceeds from the Shadow Run directly support the Tillman Military Scholars program.

 View Sam’s menu on their website or friend them Facebook. 

Be My Valentine

As a single gal about St. Louis, I like to think I have the men-folk beating down my door for dates (in a chivalrous way, of course, not like this.) When I’m not swatting eligible suitors away like flies (ahem), I like to ponder what lucky fella in Hollywood I would give away my first born just to meet go on a date to the Oscars with. 

So on this Valentine’s Day, I present to you my Top Five Men the STLCityDiva Would Date if Given the Chance (in list form, naturally):

Top 5 Eligible Suitors - The following singletons need no introduction or explanation. I'll let their photos do the talking:

1. George Clooney 

2. Alec Baldwin

3. Adam Levine

4. Bradley Cooper

5. Tim Tebow

Top 5 Childhood Crushes - When I was a wee Diva, I would have given all of my allowance money just to meet one of these young hunks:

1. Davy Jones - The lead singer of The Monkees was my first crush and as a first grader I stood among middle aged moms at the Fox Theatre to see him belt out classic Monkees hits such as “Daydream Believer” and “Last Train to Clarksville”.

2. Prince William - I first fell for the young prince when I was in high school. He was tall, cute, and second in line to the British throne. Only a year younger than me, “Wills” and I led vastly different lives, but I would have been a wanker if I didn’t like the chap!

3. JFK Jr. - In 1988, I was seven years old and JFK Jr. had just been voted People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive.” He had the pedigree, the education, and the Kennedy good looks, but for someone crowned “America’s Prince” he also seemed down to earth, funny, and approachable. It’s still unbelievable to me that we lost him, his wife Carolyn, and his sister-in-law Lauren Bessette in a plane crash nearly thirteen years ago.  

4. Andrew Keegan - Making his film debut in Camp Nowhere, Andrew first debuted on my pre-teen radar while watching ABC’s TGIF programming in the 1990’s. With his shoulder-length brown hair and California tan, he couldn't have been any more different than the Midwestern boys I knew. Co-starring in such 90’s hits as Full House and Step By Step, he put me in 7^th Heaven.

5. Brad Renfro - With his smoldering brown eyes and innocent good looks, I first noticed the Knoxville, TN native when he played the role of Huckleberry Finn alongside another 90’s heartthrob Jonathon Taylor Thomas in the 1995 movie, Tom and Huck. Starring alongside Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones, his good looks captivated me again in The Client. But, the Hollywood lifestyle proved too much for young Brad and he was found dead of a drug overdose at the age of 25.

So tell me, who are your Top 5?


{All photos courtesy of Google}

Learning How to Cook - From the Pro's on YouTube

As anyone who knows me can attest, my skills in the kitchen are…nil. It’s ironic that I, of all people, have a kitchen that is fit for a queen. Or at the very least, Rachael Ray. 

My kitchen - One of the few times it was actually used, for my birthday in 2011

When I first viewed my townhouse in Soulard four years ago, the kitchen should have stood out as amazing. But instead I was impressed by the exposed brick, the loft feel, and the fabulous location. The kitchen? Meh, it would do. My townhouse was built in the 1860’s and has undergone extensive restoration including adding a restaurant-grade Wolf range stove*, two stainless steel sinks, an eight foot long butcher block island, and a vintage Dr. Pepper sign. While I loved the look of my kitchen, I rarely ever used it. That, however, was about to change.

Despite my hesitation with cooking, I come from a long line of good cooks: My maternal grandmother could whip up fried chicken, stuffed peppers, and palatschinke. My sister, though a ridiculously picky eater, can cook almost anything from Polish sausage to our annual Thanksgiving turkey. My sister-in-law makes blueberry pie and chocolate chip cookies to die for. So dear readers, I knew I could do it. I knew if I tried to cook, I would probably really enjoy it. And if genes have anything to do with it, I might just be good at cooking, too.    

My paternal and maternal grandmothers cooking in the kitchen, ca. 1989

So, after a weekend of pure gluttony with drinks on Thursday here, followed by dinner here, and dinner and amazing dessert on Friday here, I was ready and in need of a little home cookin’. I knew I had four eggs, shredded cheese (Nacho Taco flavor, naturally) and Genoa salami in the fridge. Making an omelet out of those ingredients sounded easy enough. 

Having never made an omelet before (sad but true), I turned to the pro’s on YouTube for advice and guidance. After hours of endless entertainment (ok, minutes, I’m not that lame), I decided this guy would be my perfect cooking mentor. With his cute little hat, witty repartee, and background music, how could I go wrong?

  

I watched his video and proceeded into unknown territory. I cracked, I whipped, I stirred, and mixed. And wouldn’t you know, my first ever omelet turned out delicious. Maybe Julia Child was right, “The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you've got to have a what-the-hell attitude.” 

Move over Emeril: My first ever omelet. Bam!

*St. Louis Fun Fact: Prior to finding a home in my townhouse, my Wolf range stove was used in Kresge's located in downtown St. Louis on the corner of 6th and Washington. In the late 1970's, Kresge's was renamed Kmart and in 2007 the company merged with Sears.