alcoholic
Weekend at the Alamo (Drafthouse).
I read “The Girl on the Train” a few months ago, and I just loved it (read my full review here) – and I was counting down the days until the movie adaptation made its way to theaters. But, I’ll also admit I was a little bit scared. It’s no secret that this story is […]
MoreCeleb crush: Nick Jonas.
Good morning! If you’re in need of a “Hot Guy” does, I’m your gal. If you’re new to the blog, welcome. The Bitter Lemon has been providing pictures of hot dudes for those in need since 2010. My latest celeb crush is Nick Jonas. Truth be told, I never aid a bit of attention to […]
MorePic of the Week.
I spent a decent amount of my weekend driving to and from Indiana. I got up Friday morning around 3am and drove the 12 hours to Bloomington, spent Saturday attending baby showers, treated myself to a day of Sunday drinking, and hit the road Monday morning at 4:30 to make it back to Baton Rouge. […]
MoreMe & my bullshit, part one.
“You’re the girl from the magazine, right?” he asked. It was a guy I recognized from my gym. I shrugged. “I guess…” I said, not really sure what he meant. “Yeah, you write that bullshit column,” he said. That bullshit column. Three little words that pretty much sum up my insecurities — especially lately. Let […]
MoreOn Baggage: Give Me Back my DVDs.
I watch a lot of TV. Not in the sense of me, sitting on my couch eating popcorn while binging on hours of TV, but if I’m home, my TV is usually on. I’ve got one TV in my living room and one in my bedroom. The one in my living room is a near-60-inch, […]
MoreA Review: ‘Looking for Alaska’.
I’m sad and happy (all at once) to announce that I’ve got NO more John Green books to read! I saved Looking for Alaska for last, because while I was excited to read it, I was also sad knowing that I’d have no more books of Green’s to read! Looking for Alaska was Green’s first […]
MorePic of the Week.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, y’all! Today is probably the busiest day I’ve got planned this week, partly because I’m prepping for a fun little event here at The Bitter Lemon HQ: Drumroll… Starting at midnight tonight, I will be TWEETING the entire contents of my very first book, “How I Fell.” Remember that one? My […]
MoreSurvival Guide: Dieting.
We’re well into March, which means if you had a New Year’s Resolution of “sticking to a healthy diet,” then you’ve probably crashed and burned a few times by now. And no, it’s not that I don’t have faith in you! I just know that making changes, especially when it comes to food (delicious food) […]
MoreBaring it all, in business?
A few weeks ago, I received an email from a guy I went to high school with — you may remember him as the guy who wrote this email about me. To make a long story short, it’s a guy I had a massive crush on for years, but for some reason he was terrible […]
MorePic of the Week.
I’ve discussed a little about the trouble I’ve had with sleeping over the years. From what I remember, the trouble started during a bad breakup I had several years ago. He was cheating on me and I had these terrible nightmares of him having sex with other women. They were vivid and would wake me […]
MorePic of the Week.
This weekend, I finally got around to doing something I’ve wanted to do for a long time: I made Valentines! As February crept around, I realized that I’ve spent way too many Februaries being pissed or upset that I didn’t have romantic love in my life to celebrate the holiday with. Some years it bothered […]
MoreA Review: ‘The Uncoupling’.
When I got my library card last year, I pretty much threw myself a party (a quiet one inside the stacks), and I made a giant list of books and authors I wanted to read — The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer, was one of them. Well, one of the adventures that comes with a library […]
MoreBack to it: Online dating.
I recently logged into my OK Cupid account after not touching it for two months, because 1. I was seeing someone that I thought would turn into something, and 2. The email account which I signed up with was definitely one I don’t have access to anymore since “the incident.” Oops! I joined Ok Cupid […]
MoreThe Column: Love & Unemployment.
A few weeks after I’d met a guy named Justin, we’d already been on several dates, and I was really starting to like him. But one day at work, I was called into a meeting and told that my services were “no longer needed.” It was the job I’d had for almost seven years; the […]
MoreCocktail King.
Baton Rouge bartender and chef George Krause was waiting for the book to drop. At eight years old, a cocktail book fell from the “booze side” of the cabinet to the “game side.” “It was now fair game to grab it and read it, and I did,” Krause said. “I enjoyed it.” His parents found […]
MoreArgh! Dating pet peeves.
As a singleton still in the dating game, I am constantly given unsolicited advice from couples. What I often gather is that couples seem to think dating is just SO fun! Newsflash: it ain’t. Actually, most of the time, it’s pretty annoying. So, I’ve put together a list of MY dating pet peeves (some of […]
MoreBubbly basics.
Ah bubbly, champs, champers, pop bottles, sparkling… whatever you call the stuff, it’s delicious. And while most people reserve the fizz for special occasions and New Year’s Eve, I’ve come to enjoy it all year ’round, just when I’m in the mood for something fantastic. So, I’m taking it upon myself to share what I […]
MoreWhen you’re not invited…
Over the years, I’ve been to some really great weddings… and I’ve been to some not-so-great weddings, of course. But now that we live online — we can see everything anyone we even slightly know does — it’s easy to see when someone gets married. Which, in turn, makes it easy to figure out when […]
MoreThe Column: Going the (Long) Distance.
There we were: kissing on a bench outside The Dungeon in the French Quarter. It’s the start of any classic love story, right? I met my friend Brooks in high school, though we weren’t friends until I was nearly out of college. Like most people our age, we reconnected through Facebook, and over the years […]
MoreGiving thanks.
Happy Thanksgiving, y’all! Last year, I was pretty fresh off a breakup, and although it was a breakup for the best, the holidays always have a way of highlighting the doom and gloom (blame it on the lights and glitter). I know that around this time of year, everyone is thinking about what they’re thankful […]
MoreIs THIS why I can’t get a husband?
A reader in San Francisco brought to my attention an article in the New York Post, “8 Reasons Why New York Women Can’t Get a Husband.” Obviously, I don’t live in New York, but I’m always willing to consider ANY reason as to why I don’t have a boyfriend/fiance/husband, etc. The article is based around […]
MoreHow to fight right.
I really hate fighting. And, over the course of my years in the dating game, there have been many-a-time when I’ve simply ignored things that were probably worth a fight, simply because I just wanted to play it cool. But, no matter how cool you are, something is likely to piss you off. And sometimes, […]
MorePic of the Week.
Every year, my friend Marcy has a Pumpkin Carving Party (BYOP), and this year was pretty special because it was the 5th Anniversary of the party! So, Sunday night, we all gathered at Marcy’s, equipped with pumpkins and carving ideas. As a kid, Halloween was a big deal. My parents really got into decorating the […]
MoreDating by Astrology.
I have always been interested in astrology, although I don’t live by it, I love reading my weekly horoscope — scoffing when it’s completely incorrect, and gasping in awe when it’s right on-point. When it comes to dating, I’ve discussed matching via personality test, but what about zodiac compatibility? Born on July 2, I am […]
MoreCoolest Fan Mail… Ever!
Monday night, I received some fan mail from a reader in Indianapolis. She, Samantha, drew this after reading my first book, How I Fell, and then she transferred it to Photoshop. Umm… how cute is it?! I actually like it better than my original cover, but don’t tell anyone. Without even knowing it, Samantha drew […]
MoreFresh Friday: Abercrombie Classic.
I know, I know, Abercrombie & Fitch fragrance is nothing new (although from the looks of their website, they’ve got some new scents), but I just couldn’t resist featuring the fragrance from the Home of the Hunks on my blog! I swear, I’ve got good reasons for it, so let’s get this started. The Hotties. […]
MoreSave the Date: October 17.
Nope, I’m not getting married. But I am judging a Pop Culture Hair Show on October 17, right here in Baton Rouge and I’m SO (or should I say “SEAUX”) excited! Join me, along with the amazing team at The Garrett Neal Studio (yes, this is where I get my hair done) Friday, October 17, […]
MorePic of the Week.
Hobby Lobby has officially dumped the contents of its shelves into my apartment — and it is a beautiful, sparkly mess — which, is actually really exciting for my kitty, Blanche. After that crappy week I told you all about, I was really excited to get involved in a good craft project. Every year, one […]
MorePic of the Week.
Last week was incredibly rough. Nothing traumatic happened per se, it was more about the impact of several events all rolled up and combined with my case of the blues. Even though my blog has “Bitter” in its title, I do try and keep things on the uptick ’round here. But the truth is, things […]
MoreHey Tweetheart: dating & social media.
Ugh. As much I love to Tweet in my daily life, when it comes to dating, social media can be a pain in the ass. I’m not really talking about meeting people via social media, although I’ve heard of this happening (ending in successes and failures alike). I’m really talking about how our use of […]
More‘Lemon Drops’ has… DROPPED!
THAT’S RIGHT — my 3rd book, Lemon Drops, is finally here! This is the first time I’ve really felt relieved that a book of mine is published. The writing in Lemon Drops is some of my most personal. There’s stories in there I haven’t told anyone, and there’s poems that are very dear to me. […]
MorePic of the Week.
As I write this, I’m sitting in Native Cafe — one of my favorite spots along the Gulf, right in Pensacola Beach (I just ordered a stack of peanut butter pancakes, if that helps at all). This morning, I had to say goodbye to my two best friends, and goodbye to a vacation we’ve been […]
MorePic of the Week.
Saturday, the mailman dropped a delivery that made my WEEK — a box of my books arrived! I work really hard on all of my books, but I still get really nervous and excited all at once when the box arrives. For Lemon Drops, I really hoped the cover looked as great in-person as it […]
MoreWhen an Ex Gets Married.
Ugh. Getting the news about an ex getting married (especially when you’re still single) can be a bitch. I can’t speak for everyone, but even when I didn’t have feelings for the person anymore, it’s still rough news to get. All of my exes are married, except my most recent (although he might be, who […]
MoreBook #3: Lemon Drops.
I’m skipping Fresh Friday this week to make an announcement: MY THIRD BOOK IS COMING YOUR WAY. That’s right, my third book is on its way — mark your calendars for September 22, 2014, which is EXACTLY one month from today! At that time, you’ll be able to purchase digital copies through Amazon Kindle (which […]
MorePic of the Week.
It took all week for me to recover from my trip to the midwest, and of course, I had to work — it wasn’t easy getting back into the swing of things. So, when I got home Friday night (after an 8-mile bike ride and an hour of boxing), I wasn’t ashamed to tuck myself […]
MorePic of the Week.
After a pretty epic weekend, it was difficult for me to choose one picture to represent it all — but I can never turn down a sunset (hope you’re not getting tired of it). I got to Chicago Friday morning, and meeting up with one of my best friends. After checking into our hotel downtown, […]
MoreAll Aboard: NOL > CHI.
Greetings! I am publishing this post while aboard the Amtrak #58, traveling from New Orleans, LA, all the way to Chicago, IL. With more than 900 miles between destinations — I shouldn’t have to tell you that it’s been an interesting ride on the “Spacious Superliner.” Really, this is my first time traveling via train. […]
MoreHolly, Party of One.
Editor’s Note: The contest winner from Tuesday’s Tattly give away is below… Tomorrow around 5 am marks one entire year that I’ve been single. A party of one. I know that when my ex, D, and I broke up, I was miserable. Even though our relationship was not anything good, I had no idea how […]
MoreWomen You Should Know: Amy Winehouse.
When I heard the song, “Rehab” for the first time, I thought Amy Winehouse was a smart-mouthed, bad ass bitch, just making fun of pop culture and it’s celebulites, of the Lindsay Lohan-sort. So, I bought “Back to Black,” unaware that it would be an album that changed my world — not unlike Lauryn Hill’s […]
MoreLessons of ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’
Boy do I love curling up on my couch for a self-made marathon of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” built using my collections of seasons on DVD. “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” ran for seven seasons, beginning in 1970 — a time when America was going through political change, and women were beginning to experience […]
MoreHow to Host the Perfect Brunch.
Wow, do I love a good brunch. I’m lucky enough to live in a city that’s got dozens of great brunch spots, but I’ve always had a little dream of hosting one myself. The thing is, it seems like such a huge ordeal — what to serve for food? What about drinks? How fancy should […]
MorePic of the Week.
This shot glass has been sitting on my counter for weeks — because what are you supposed to do with a gift someone that you thought was boyfriend-potential got you, and then stops talking to you? The options are as follows: Throw it against the wall, hoping it shatters into a billion pieces Drop it […]
MoreThe Art of Manipulation (in dating).
Manipulate (verb) — to manage or utilize skillfully; to control or play upon by artful, unfair, or insidious means especially to one’s own advantage; to change by artful or unfair means so as to serve one’s purpose. I was manipulated in relationships before I even knew what it was; that it was even something that […]
MoreHow to Cancel a Wedding.
No, seriously. Cancel the damn thing. There’s many-a-wedding I’ve heard about that should’ve been cancelled, and there’s a few coming up this spring that really just should NOT be happening. The thing is, most people think canceling a wedding would be too much of a hassle — even more than a divorce. Or, sometimes, let’s […]
MorePic of the Week.
Okay, I know it appears that this is simply a picture of an oversized Bud Light can. While I do love a crisp, refreshing Bud Light, what I was trying to capture was the crowd — and the overall scene — beyond the Bud Light. I spent an extended weekend in Gulf Shores, Alabama, for […]
MoreThe Allure of Options.
They say, “When it rains, it pours,” and I’ve noticed this saying to be true when it comes to dating. You get one date—you get five dates. You have one breakup—you get a string of let downs. And while the latter example certainly sucks, there’s something good to be said when it comes to having […]
MoreCeleb Crush: Hangout Fest Edition.
As you read this, chances are solid that me, along with three of my girlfriends, have packed the Tahoe to its gills as only girls can—with too many bikinis, sunscreen, and unnecessary makeup, as we travel a few hours to Gulf shores for the best music celebration on the beach: Hangout Fest. Aside from the […]
MorePic of the Week.
This weekend, I joined my friends right down the road from my apartment, for the Louisiana International Film Festival. It was the second annual, and honestly, I didn’t give it a second thought until I was at my weekly poetry open mic night, when someone there was giving away free tickets. Why not check it […]
MorePic of the Week.
This week was incredible busy, in the best way. However, I did so many fun things, it was difficult for me to pick just one picture that represented my week. Lately, my job has been incredibly stressful, and I feel like I’m not even fun to be around. But just when I started thinking that, […]
MoreMake the Perfect Lemon Drop.
I’m not huge on flavored crap, especially when it comes to alcohol. However, I could probably go for a lemon drop martini (or a shot, your choice) just about any day. As a former bartender, I feel confident in the way I make a perfect lemon drop—however, I won’t be offended if you change things […]
MoreIs This Blog Ruining My Dating Chances?
This question popped into my head when I started writing about relationships for my college newspaper. In the three years I served as “The” relationship columnist, I went on many dates. And sometimes, the men on those dates asked me: “Is this going to be in Monday’s paper?” Chances are, no, it wasn’t. But if […]
MorePic of the Week.
On Good Friday, I took advantage of the fact that I had the day off from work, and my CASA boys were off of school, picked them up after lunch, and hosted an Easter egg hunt for them. I spent the week leading up to the egg hunt looking for and purchasing baskets (they were […]
MorePic of the Week.
I have a guilty pleasure of admiring the glamorous lives of others from afar, via Instagram. No, I don’t even HAVE an Instagram account, but I’ve managed to find plenty of profiles, and be jealous of their beautiful lives. God, I’m creepy. Anyway, one of the bloggers I follow (and stalk on Instagram) posts all […]
MoreSeeing Red (Flags).
As a relationship columnist and blogger, sometimes it’s a little embarrassing to admit all of my stories when it comes to dating the wrong guys. While I have dozens (okay, maybe hundreds) of stories, what it really boils down to is ignoring red flags, especially before things get serious. It’s something that I’ve really been […]
MoreBoyfriend Recipe: Zesty (baked) Chicken Wings.
I never really considered myself as someone who was “into fitness.” That is, until I dated my last boyfriend, who didn’t give a flying fuck about being healthy or fit. When it came to me needing time away from him to hit the gym, he would get angry. If I told him I was cooking […]
MorePic of the Week.
I can’t believe that I’ve made it until March without having a picture of my cat, Blanche, featured in this weekly spot. One week from today, my sassy kitty will turn one (yes, I have a gift for her), although I’ve only had her for about eight months. In this short time, she’s become my […]
MoreReturn of the Ex.
This year has been “The Year of Holly’s Past,” and if you have read any of this blog, you know that my past, when it comes to dating, is not anything to be proud of. Before the start of 2014, my ex contacted me via email. This ex isn’t my most-recent ex, but one that […]
MoreNicholas Sparks: writing perfection.
My love affair with Nicholas Sparks’ novels started many summers ago when I borrowed, “The Last Song” from my friend to read by the pool. Needless to say, I loved it. Yeah, I know, his works are not genius. And, they are all very similar. But I love them, and I can recall one of […]
MoreThings I’ve Learned From watching ‘The Hills’
MTV’s series, The Hills, has always been a not-so-guilty pleasure for me. I loved watching Laguna Beach, too. And while, I know you all probably think I’m dumb for obsessing over all six seasons of The Hills, not only while it was on TV, but ever since, thanks to my DVD collection—I’ve learned quite a […]
MoreA History of Valentines.
When I think of a Valentine, I think of a nice dinner, wine, maybe even a box of chocolates. And, when I put it that way, I can quickly tell you that I’ve never had a Valentine. But when I stop being so goddamn bitter, I know that’s not the entire truth. As a child, […]
MoreWomen You Should Know: Bonnie Raitt.
Really, all you need to know about the one Ms. Bonnie Raitt is that she’s a BAMF. But I’ll explain. Officially, Bonnie (yeah, we’re cool like that) is a blues singer/songwriter. And I’d probably know very little about her if it weren’t for my mom loving her music and exposing me to it at a […]
MorePic of the week.
It’s quite possible that it’s been an entire year since I’ve given myself a moment. A real moment, anyway. At any given minute in a typical day, chances are, I’m working. Whether it’s at my day job, or an underpaid freelance gig. I’m working (even on the weekends). If I’m not working, I’m at the […]
MoreEX-PLOSION!
Is it lame that I’m 28 years old and still watching shows on MTV? If so, let’s just get over that tiny little fact about me, and move on to MTV’s newest season of the Real World: Ex-Plosion, K? It starts off (last night was episode 3) just the same as every Real World season—7 […]
MoreGuilt-free New Year’s Eve Cocktail Recipes.
And so here we are again, tomorrow is the last day of 2013, and if you’re anything like me, you’re wondering, “Where has the time gone?” Each year seems to fly by faster than the one before it, no matter how hard we try to slow things down, savor the moments, pack our days, sleep […]
MoreHow to Make Lemonade: the book!
It’s here, it’s FINALLY here! My second book, How to Make Lemonade, is published and ready for YOU to read… What’s it about? It is a memoir of my dating life in college—I had 3 serious boyfriends, which, as you can probably guess, didn’t work out, considering I’m single right now. However, the stories of […]
MoreHow to Survive Thanksgiving as a Single Woman.
Thanksgiving is one of my FAVORITE holidays, and a true HAPPY THANKSGIVING is in order! Don’t worry, the #tb series will be back tomorrow—I just couldn’t let today pass by without saying a few words. Every year, I travel to my friend Angela’s home. Her and her husband have welcomed me into their home over […]
MoreHow I Fell: the book.
When I started writing the series, How I fell, I had no idea just how long, and book-like it would become. Many of you asked me for a book. Well, ask and you shall receive, because How I Fell is now an ebook. Of course, I know you’ve already read the series. But the book […]
MoreMany thanks.
Before I go back to normal blog business, I wanted a chance to really thank you all for reading my entire 19-part series, How I Fell. During the month of August, when I was posting the series, 5,987 of you visited this blog. That blew July’s numbers out of the water—218. But that’s not why […]
MoreHow I fell, part nineteen.
“Oh?” I asked, not surprised that my suspicions were confirmed. She nodded. “She was checking up on him, figured out you were his ex, and then found your blog,” she said. “Interesting,” I said. “Well, what’s interesting is the timing,” she continued. “They started hanging out around Easter, which…from reading your blog, that’s when you […]
MoreHow I fell, part eighteen.
Against my better judgment, I opened the door. Later, I told my friends and family that I didn’t let D in. It’s even embarrassing to admit it here. However, if I’m going to be honest, then I have to mention it all—even the moments I wish I could erase. “Here’s your FAKE KEY,” D snarled. […]
MoreHow I fell, part seventeen.
June 27, 2013 Note: the following was written word-for-word, character-for-character, from Facebook messenger. Typos, misspellings, and other nonsense are due to the present drunk-ass. ME (3:56 a.m.): What? I’ve been asleep. D (3:56): u suck] ME (3:57): Okay thanks. D (3:57): really? ok bye ok t;hanks bye. im sure ur man can deal with it […]
MoreHow I fell, part sixteen.
The next day, I took a long lunch to clean my house because I had scheduled a “home visit” with a local animal shelter that had a kitty I wanted to adopt. D and I went to our favorite spot—California Pizza Kitchen—had lunch, and headed home to clean. I passed the inspection and the kitty, […]
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