dariarutherford

[dariarutherford]

I know that Easter is next, but not everyone celebrates that and also I'm not so sure it would really work with a tie-in. Unless there was a way to do some kind of egg-hunt theme between both our places. Otherwise, we could figure something out for Memorial Day weekend, since that's when Founders Day always is. And you're right, because I just realized there's stores like TJ Maxx and HomeGoods that are sister stores, but HomeGoods doesn't sell clothes or kids' toys like TJ's does. As far as the baking, if it's up to me, I say we go for the classic—chocolate chip cookies. And then we can just expand on the cookie genre. Peanut butter, sugar, oatmeal, etc.

I’m so glad the Mardi Gras collab was a hit! I had so much fun with that, and I’m definitely looking forward to next year. And you’re right—next St. Patrick’s Day is a chance to really go all out! But I love the idea of us being "sister businesses." We don’t have to sell the same thing as long as we’ve got that vibe, right? I think the whole community vibe is what really makes it work! As for the next baking lesson, let’s just go with whatever you think sounds fun!

[dariarutherford]

Oh yeah, my mom is all in on the Zumba now. She even texted me the other day asking if I had any routines she could try on her own at home, so I sent her the YouTube playlist I've put together. And trust me, I already got Return of the Mack in rotation! I caught one of the regulars grooving a little when it came on the other day, and I felt so validated. There’s just something about a good throwback that hits different, you know? Honestly, the whole playlist has been a vibe, nothing makes the work day better than some fun tunes.

Aww, I love that you got your mom into it! Tae-Bo was a whole vibe back in the day. I bet she’s loving the change, especially without all the hassle of hunting down old DVDs or tapes. And ooh, I’m loving that you’re thinking about collabing with Mercedes more often! I can't wait to see what you two come up with. As for "Return of the Mack"—YES! That song is a classic. Honestly, throwbacks are everything. You should totally work it into your cafe playlist; I’m sure it'll get people dancing!

[dariarutherford]

Of course! It's one of my personal faves. And sure, but you gotta take me out on a date first, lol.

.... You're bringing it back!?!??! DARIA UR HAND IN MARRIAGE PLS

[dariarutherford]

Guess there are just some people out there who take the holidays a tad too seriously. Or, they just think they're being cute and funny, which they aren't. It's kind of like a Karen, but in a different way. Which, trust me, I know what those can be like to deal with.

Neither did I, to be fair. Don't get me started on those, though. I usually feel my irritation spike immediately whenever I see that shirt. I think most functioning adults are aware of that, thankfully. I must have just got unlucky that day.

[dariarutherford]

But hey, what if you end up enjoying one of the summer flavors even more, then you don't even have to mourn! You don't like regular lemonade, but you like pink lemonade? Can I be honest, I never noticed a difference, so that confuses me. But yes, you can mix in watermelon, strawberry, blackberry, or peach! Also, there's iced teas with various fruit flavors, though I'm sure you've noticed those are around all year. And I agree, adding coconut rum to just about any fruity drink is top notch.

That gives me plenty of time to enjoy before I have to go into full mourning, then -- I mean, I do look good in black, but I hear that sort of thing is a tiny bit of overkill, whatevs. I can't get behind normal lemonade, but mix in some fruit? SOLD. Even just making it pink is better, although between you and me, adding coconut rum is best.

[dariarutherford]

Daria: oh you'll have to keep me posted on what you find out! cause i'm lowkey curious haha Daria: oh for sure, granted i was fairly confident and never let it bother me. but i also had a great enough group of friends that no one really gave me any flack. i sometimes wonder if it was worse for guys than girls usually though, because of how other guys were primarily the ones being jerks. Daria: well and it's not so much they were as accepting about girls liking girls as they were just gross about it 🙄 Daria: oh definitely watch it, sure it's about high school kids, but it's still a great movie and still relatable!

Finn: well now i'm wondering if any of the people i was closer with back then did have me like ping their gaydar. 🤔 i mean probably right? maybe i'll go around and ask just for fun. 😂 Finn: yeah i mean things were pretty rough back when we were in high school. i think that's a big reason why i never even let myself like think about my sexuality and stuff back then since i saw how bad it was for anyone that wasn't super straight. Finn: i haven't! honestly, i barely watch any movies that aren't superhero movies and i feel like that's bad. 😅 i'll definitely give it a watch though if you like it! plus that does sound super funny.

[dariarutherford]

I'm not gonna lie, I didn't even know that pinching people who don't wear green was an actual thing! I just thought it was one of those sayings, like the shirts that say "kiss me, I'm Irish". Like you don't actually kiss the person just because they're wearing that shirt. Anyway, I'm sorry that happened to you, I mean do people forget that others have jobs where they're required to be in a work uniform?

Someone actually pinched me for not wearing green today. Mind you, I was wearing my call center uniform on the way into work and our polo shirts are not green, so I had no choice in the matter. But still, I didn't think most people, as functioning adults, did that anymore and now I feel violently transported back to my childhood. Didn't like it then and I don't like it now, so if any of you reading this happen to be part of the problem, know that you are my enemy for the next twenty-four hours until I get over it.

[dariarutherford]

It's so much fun, I even got my mom into it as well. Which, she used to do those Tae-Bo videos, that Billy guy used to put them out? Anyway, she likes that it's a similar vibe, but now she doesn't have to search for DVD versions of her Tae-Bo, since her VHS tapes were starting to get worn out. The switch up is going great, now I'm conniving ways to work on collabs with Mercedes and the karaoke bar. Figured, one music business with another music business. And yeah, I've actually had a few throwbacks unlock my memory with various spotify playlists that I've added into the mix at the cafe. Remember the song Return Of The Mack? Such a bop.

Yes, girl! Zumba is the way to go! It's been too long since I've done a session myself, but when I was doing it regularly it was such a blast. Honestly, I get what you mean about people who seem like they thrive on misery… like, why choose suffering if you don't have to? How’s the switch-up going? Any new jams you're thinking about adding for the dance parties?

[dariarutherford]

If you think that's a great drink, just wait until summer when I bring back the s'mores flavor. Still not sure of the second summer flavor I'll be going with this year, though.

I apprecaite you not leaving me hanging like that. Its a beautiful drink, I will not tell a lie. I think at one point my blood was red velvet mocha for a bit there.

[dariarutherford]

Daria: maybe... though if I had clocked it and noticed you weren't picking up on it I also probably would not have brought it up to you unless you said something to me so yeah. cause obviously I wasn't and still am not the type to just be like "do you think you might not be straight"? to someone just cause my own gaydar might be going off. Daria: that's so awesome though, I'm glad you feel comfortable coming to me about it, I know even though things are a little easier these days it's still not ALWAYS an easy thing to talk about. Daria: and I agree! have you seen the movie love, simon? if not you should watch it, highly recommend. they do this bit talking about how "why is it non-straight people are the ones that have to 'come out'?" and then do a fantasy-montage thing of straight kids coming out to their parents as straight 😂 it's great and really shows how ridiculous it is that it has to be a thing for the lgbtq+ Daria: hey, I feel ya, that was me when I was like ope I like girls as much as I like guys. and also any non-gendered folks.

Finn: maybe not though! my mom has always said i'm a little oblivious. i didn't even really knew what that word meant when i was younger, but i do now and uh... yeah, i see it. i don't even think i've kicked that even though i'm an old man now. 😅 Finn: you didn't! definitely a recent thing i figured out as of the end of last year. it's just funny looking back on a lot of stuff from back then knowing what i know now and being like 'ohhhhh yeah that makes sense now'. 😂 Finn: is it weird to say it doesn't feel right calling it coming out? like, yeah, i guess i am, but it's not really me to make it a big thing if that makes sense? especially since i feel like i got a lucky break figuring this out now instead of back when we were growing up. coming out was a way huger more serious thing back then and not straight people had it way worse. not that there aren't still some dummies now but still. Finn: like i'm still me! just a me that knows i'm into dudes now too.

[dariarutherford]

Oh definitely, I don't even start to really think about my summertime menu much until May, usually starting them Memorial Day weekend with Founders Day. The refreshers come out with the spring flavors or a little after, usually, and they're the most summer-y when you think about it—lemonades mixed with other fruity flavors.

I am wholly honored to have inspired such a genius idea, you have no idea. And strawberries are totally a springtime flavor, not just Valentine's, even if they have a chocolate-covered reputation to uphold, so I will take it until the summer specials drop!

[dariarutherford]

I've gotta say, I think our whole Mardi Gras collab was a success and I wish I had thought to do something similar this past Monday for St. Patrick's Day. But there's always next year. Honestly though, I do think us doing collabs like that could really put us on "sister business" status. Or do "sister businesses" have to be something where it's like they sell the same kind of product? Anyway, now that you have pound cakes under your belt, any preferences on what your next baking lesson should be or just want me to pick at random?

Mini Mardi Gras pound cakes? I love it! The colors, the sprinkles—it's perfect. I bet they're gonna be gorgeous no matter what you do with them. Also, I know it's not King Cake, but you know what would be cute? Putting a little baby in each cake. Bring a little more of the holiday spirit into it, you know? Obviously there'd have to be a notice of some kind to avoid choking incidents, but it'd be cute. I won't be offended if you don't use that idea though, don't worry! And I am so down for a collab. Let’s do the half-off drinks deal, it sounds like a little better to get half-off that night rather than one free drink, right? And this weekend works for me! Pound cake 101, here I come. Just don’t judge me if I get more flour on myself than in the mixing bowl.

[dariarutherford]

Oh girl, you know I won't do anything that I don't want to and honestly I'm with you on not understanding those people. It makes me wonder if there really are people who just live for being miserable, and in turn that's where Karens and Kyles are born. But for real, I'll probably never be much of a gym-goer myself. I prefer to do my Zumba at home and I'm always dancing around at the cafe. Honestly, that might be part of the inspo for me to switch up the place and invest in the whole playlist thing. Gives me a change to listen to my favorite dance jams.

It's so funny to me that people make themselves go to the gym even though they really don't want to. If you're one of those people, hear me out—working out doesn’t have to be miserable. Not everyone loves the gym, and that’s okay! But if you hate every second of working out, you’re probably just doing the wrong kind of movement. Like, maybe lifting weights isn’t your thing, but have you tried dancing? Or hiking? Even just walking while listening to a really good podcast can make a difference. Anyway, thanks for coming to my TED Talk. What's up with everyone?

[dariarutherford]

Okay, have you read that leaked script though, too? I know that was a couple years ago it was leaked, but oh my god, that was awful and the leaked trailer just proved it would be a trainwreck. Now if it had started off strong and then started to go off the rails, kind of llike PLL, I probably would have been one of those that hated what it turned into, but would have stuck through it til the end.

Am I the only one who saw the trailer for the cancelled live action Powerpuff Girls? The trailer’s so bad, but I would 100% watch it. Can’t lie.

[dariarutherford]

Daria: omg finn 🤦🏾‍♀️😂 Daria: honestly if we had been a lot closer in school I'm willing to bet I could have helped clue you in Daria: but also yeah that was kind of an obvious one glaring you in the face right there Daria: what's got you reminiscing on the finn formerly thought to be straight? also wait, did I know you weren't straight before? is this news? are you coming out to me? Daria: I'M SO PROUD OF YOU!

text || @dariarutherford

Finn: so i've recently come to the conclusion that checking out a hot guy's ass is NOT as normal for a straight dude to do as i thought it was back in high school. like the me now is like 'wow finn you're dumb maybe that should have been your first clue you were into guys too'. Finn: the more you know!

[dariarutherford]

Jam - favorite thing to bake?

This is tough, I love to bake in general so I want to say everything. But if I had to choose... I'd have to go with sugar cookies. Because, not only are they fun to bake when I'm doing cookie cutter ones, but the decorating afterwards is fun. Especially trying to come up with designs that don't actually match what the cookie cutter itself was meant for. I like to get creative and think out of the box for fun, new ideas for them.

🌺SPRING ASK MEME

[dariarutherford]

Well, I've gotta find some way to keep the people happy when I tear their comfort flavors right out from under them, right? I hope you like the white chocolate strawberry! Kinda took inspo from you suggesting toasted white chocolate and put a Valentine's Day kind of twist on it. Lucky for you, though, even if it's a heart-day inspired flavor, it's also sticking around through spring.

My tears, they are copious in the face of a whole 'nother 8-10 months without peppermint in my coffee, but then -- THEN -- you hit me with the white chocolate strawberry, and my poor little basic white girl heart, it grew three sizes.

You had me at white chocolate strawberry, Daria. You had me at white chocolate strawberry.