It's been a long week. Having Monday off is great. Yet oddly, in some ways, that seems to make Tuesday - Friday that much worse. Which kind of takes the fun out of having Monday off. Not quite a chicken and an egg situation, but just one of those things, that takes up too much space in my mind. And on top of that, I'm going to be that girl, who chooses to live on the east coast, and who gets all "wah....boo....ugh....wtf....blah.....bleck.....bitch.....moan....bitch" because it's cold and windy and snowy. In January. And I have to wear mittens and hats and two scarves and lots of layers and bought new snow boots. (which btw are so warm and fuzzy) But the cold! The bone-chilling, face-hurting, I-said-brrrrrrr!-it's-cold-in-here kind of cold. I know. DUH! That's what happens in January. It's called winter. It's been going on for decades. It's the four seasons. This is not a fluke of Mother Nature. This is just how the world turns. (which, btw, I miss that soap...Craig and Sierra and Holden and Lily rocked!). But, baby, it's like really, really cold outside. And the turning of the world has knocked me on my ass this week. So before I crawl under the covers, here's the five things I can muster, because no matter how busy or tired or cold I am....I'm trying my best to keep on track here. Writers write. #1: I've been this before and it popped up on my tumblr feed tonight. Sometimes I feel like the universe is sending me a message and the timing is right.
#2: The universe also deals me some messages I don't want. But that's the balance this Libra comes to expect. And strives for. I'm in the self-imposed spend freeze just because. It's like eating well after a stint of eating like crap. Balance. But then I found this dress I've been lusting on ebay. In my size. And I was so close. (Or maybe not, because I was only willing to pay so much for an "excellent used condition" dress.) But my competition was willing to keep going. And I lost. That's the universe telling me that Hello! You are on a spending freeze! And your friendly universe here is not going to let you break it. No eBay wins for you! (grumble....curse....rats....that sucks) And a few hours later the moment of clarity (or the rationalization). That dress was not my fate. #3: SAG Awards on Sunday. Red Carpet. Fashion. Awards. Eventual tears over the acceptance speeches I'm sure. Oh how I love awards season. Cannot wait to see who they're wearing. And who wins. Kind of at a loss for why Lena Dunham isn't at this party, but that's my obsession talking. Least there's Jon Hamm to look forward to. (yes, please) Also fairly certain I need to work that free Showtime and start watching Homeland because they win everything. And apparently it's great. Stay tuned. #4: The conversation is underway. For Paris. In the summer. This may trump the Lean obsession for now. I can't wait to go back. Time to lock in some dates!!!!
#5:
I didn’t actually get to see the Matt Damon takeover of
Jimmy Kimmel last night but I’ve seen enough clips to get the sense it was
pretty damn funny. And that of course
made me think of this video, which I still think is some total comedy genius. It also doubles as my song. BAM!
So Monday’s are far less manic when it’s a free Monday.
Which is what today is. I haven’t had MLK as a holiday in like ever. So today feels like a free pass. Almost like
I’m playing hooky but my work email isn’t pinging every five minutes so I don’t
have to feel guilty about not looking at it. (Even though I brought home a pile
of work to do which is taunting me from my dining room table.)
So earlier today, I was group texting with the ladies like
we’re wont to do, relaying the plays for the day. My “to do” list was quite long and according
to one of my friends, rather ambitious.
And it’s not like I ever quite get it all done – ever – but I’m back to
the “if I build it he will come” of things in that “if I say I’m going to do
it, I’ll do it. Eventually. One day.
Maybe today. Maybe not so much
today, but tomorrow or next weekend.”
And I say that since most weeknights I make all sorts of deals with
myself and all the things I’ll get done over the weekend or all the things I
could get done during the week if I could just magically be financially
independent and quit my job and suddenly have 24 hours a day that were mine
MINE!!!!
But then I wake up from that fantasy and do my damndest to
knock a few things off the life list.
Today wasn’t all bad – finished my book, did yoga, made some actually
food for lunch that will totally have a second coming tomorrow as leftovers for
lunch which means I don’t have to buy it or make something new. Win. Win.
But what I really need to do, that I’ve been half-assing for
months is put some clothes back on eBay.
I’ve dipped a toe in that pool and made some decent money. But it takes
time. (Yes. I know I technically just had three whole
days.) And it takes some
commitment. (You have to follow it at
least daily in case there are questions or people actually pick the “Buy It
Now” option.). And I have to photograph
my clothes and try to come up with some quippy little descriptions that will
garner some attention and get people to buy my things. Truth is, since I’m in the self-imposed spend
freeze (minus those winter boots from Zappos last night, but that’s necessity
because it’s winter and the lining of my boots decided to kick the bucket in
January….asshole boots. Can boots be
assholes?).
Moving on….I saw a dress that I wanted. Desperately. It was on What Not To Wear and like most anything that I want…the obsession
develops…and want turn into must have.
In this case, the dress was of course sold out everywhere, because the
show was taped months ago. But then I
found it….on eBay. Now the new me…the
spend-freeze me….sleeps on things. Tries not to be impulsive. Tries to weigh the pros and cons and not have
the instant gratification trigger finger.
Mind you this is much easier when I do not have a glass of wine in my
hand. Or three already coursing through my veins.
I am very proud to say I slept on this dress, so to speak,
for almost a week. And then I decided it
was worth it. Let’s hope I’m right and
that it looks as good on me as I’m hoping it will. (And that it's a little longer than it appears to be on this girl.) But that’s what led me back down this path of
eBay. Sell more. Buy more. And of course there’s this JCrew dress circa
2010 that’s popped up….on auction. And a
JCrew collection skirt from 2008. Same
deal. And good prices. And like any good junkie I want them! NOW! I
feel like this is fate…destiny…karma…every star aligned for me. Good pricing.
My sizing. The fashion gods are
sending me a sign.
That should be motivation enough. But then I popped in my Netflix movie so I
can drop it in the mail tomorrow.
(Anyone for Pitch Perfect?) Nothing saps my energy like a movie….
especially when I opt to paint my toenails, which means I’m locked to the couch
for fear of screwing them up. One might say I do that on purpose. One would be
right.
And now it’s starting to get dark out and the reality that
tomorrow exists is starting to set in. And Sunday blues come a day late. Big sigh.
But trying to turn the ‘tude around and keep snatching great lines from
tumblr and looking at them over and over until it penetrates. Here’s hoping!
And one little gripe before I go. So PP was
entertaining for what it was. Love to
sing along. And while I love me a
“Preview” feature before a movie, I’m equally excited about the “Special
Features” that come along with the DVD.
So….I have to say if they are an option…and you click on them…and get
this big-ass error message that says “this DVD is for rental purposes only and
buy the real DVD if you want to actually see these special features we are
teasing you with”.
Damn you, Netflix. It’s like you know I’m breaking up with
you at the end of the month because your DVD program doesn’t do it for me
anymore. And because I’m getting two
movie channels now (Showtime for free and HBO for Girls. And $15.) and while
they are mostly filled with crap I will never watch, I don’t need DVD rentals
collecting dust next to my To Do list.
Just saying.
Time to get back to it.
Or maybe take a manic-free-day nap.
That sounds so much better to me…..
And if you didn't see this video coming, then you really need to go back and read this blog from the beginning...this is what I live for.
I laughed. I cried. I never saw Cats. But damn did I dedicate myself to the Globes on Sunday night. So much greatness. Three cheers for Lena Dunham. And Girls. And Ben Affleck. (Love you. Mean it.) I am just a giant sucker for the award show and am so happy the season is underway.
By far one of my favorite parts, as I may have totally mentioned, is my love for the Red Carpet. I am Rachel Zoe and Stacy London and the Fashion Police and the whole team from E! all rolled into one. And since it's my blog I get to be.
It's a bit of a children's book....lots of pictures...but when it comes to fashion doesn't everyone want to see the pictures?
Kate Hudson looks amazing. She just seems like the coolest chick to hang out with and I love her laid back look. And the fact that she she looks so stunning int this dress. Big fan of the plunge. McQueen does not disappoint.
If anyone is keeping up my blog, you know I have an extreme obsession with Kerry Washington...and Olivia Pope...and the clothes they share (and the show obvi because it's so damn amazing. #GLADIATORS). So it should come as zero shocker that KW has a place here.
This woman is so gorgeous and humble and adorable and stylish and love that she loves Lady Gaga. She also seems like a really cool chick to hang out with and like someone who could teach me how to kick some serious ass at work. And hello! Affair with the President. I haven't rooted that hard for the other woman since Something Borrowed.
Love the dress. Love the hair. Envy her bangs. And hello, flawless face.
Readers...(wait...I have to stop right there...I'm addressing my "readers" like there's a fleet of them. I have more followers on Tumblr. "Readers". "My peeps". I am Evita on the balcony right now. LOL. This is work stress morphing in a really bizarro way. This is also me kidding.)...so back to it.
Beloved reader (single reader...I'm looking at YOU)...unless this is the first post you're reading, you know that I have major love Love LOVE for Jennifer Garner. Never mind my epic love for her hubby. I think they are a totally adorable couple. More people who I think would be cool to hang out with, have a beer, and watch some baseball maybe or just spend a long, leisurely dinner.
Jen always seems to bring it on the Red Carpet (go R. Zoe!). And this dress....this color....the hair....the make-up....definitely one of her best looks ever.
A bit surprised she's in Vivian Westwood. To me that's a Gwen Stefani designer (which I say in the best way possible as Gwen is also on my obsessed list.) But Jen is usually and Oscar de la Renta girl. Love her switching it up.
Made more amazing by the fact that she looks as effortless and comfortable in this as she does in jeans and a baseball cap. Which I obviously see her in all the time in US Magazine and on E!News. Though I like to pretend we're besties and that's why I know so much about her.
And while, yes, the show was full of great moments, one of my most favorite happened on the Red Carpet. I am a total sap for epic TV romances. Or just epic romance for that matter. And there is the fantasy/fairytale/writer part of me that likes to believe that characters live on after the show ends and they walk off into the sunset. This moment right here (To your right. Here.) is my proof that Doug Ross and Carol Hathaway not only are still together but they are so epically happy. Melting my little black heart.
My admiration for Julianna Margulies was revived by The Good Wife. And thank God for that. I think she is cool is the New York downtown chic kind of way. She's much edgier than her character and maybe it's that contrast that I love. But I think this dress is great. Hurrah for Pucci!
And love the red lip. I wish I could pull off a red lip. I wonder if I can pull off a red lip. I need to add a make-up artist to my fashion squad here.
And while I'm not here to hate on anyone....there are some dresses that left me so "meh"....so "c'mon you could do better"....so "uh, what what?". So no fasholes here. Just a few that left me wondering, why? why? why?
Both ladies are beautiful. I haven't seen Zero Dark Thirty, but did like JC in The Help. I'm sure she was all that and more, especially given that she won. But wtf is up with the dress? Color? Great. Boobs? Appear to be at your waist. This is a tragic miss if ever I saw one.
And Halle....I don't know if she was actually in a movie or nominated or just an honored guest, but holy epic mess. To steal a line from Kelly Osborne on this week's Fashion Police (because quite honestly, I can't do better than this) - "This dress is something a Real Housewife of Miami would wear. To lunch."
And last, but not least, I may be alone in this review, but I don't like Jennifer Lawrence's dress. At. All. The waist is a little weird. But more importantly, those napkiny things on the chest have given her boobs the weirdest look of the night. Honestly lady, you are gorgeous....you're a solid actress....winner.....and yet you voluntarily make your boobs look like this.
Luckily there are more award shows to come so there's a chance for fashion redemption. And I know...who am I to criticize Dior? But even me and my chest that doesn't fill out a dress, would rather look like me than have this things flapping off the front of me.
Just saying. From the comfort of my couch. In major comfies. But the couch is red and I think I look pretty damn good. Everyone has their Red Carpet. Can't wait for the next one! And back to Kate. This is one of my favorites of her movies. And considering she's done a few with yet another love of mine, Matthew McConoughy, that's saying quite a lot!
Thirteen days into the New Year, and my non-resolution
resolution of putting the breaks on spending is going so far, so good. I’ve
limited myself to only buying the essentials and have so far convinced myself that
adding another scarf to my already overflowing collection does not actually
count as an “essential”.More like an
addiction to accessories and just-because-one-of-them-got-a-snag-in-it-when-it-got-
caught-on-my-necklace-and-needs-a-little-needle-and-thread-TLC does not really
qualify buying a new one as “essential”.(Or does it?)
That said, the scarf is on final sale and about 40% off and
has free shipping, so if it’s still there next time I look, I may be in
trouble. But really…can a girl have too
many scarves? Say it with me… “NO!”
Anyway….back to the real essentials quest. I’m not going nutso and depriving myself of
anything fun. This is not a juice fast or something insane like that. I’m still
going out for some after work drinks and dinners and getting me some Starbucks
Peppermint Mocha. But I am trying to
work on that wicked lack of self-control that has led to a bunch of clothes I
don’t even really like (nevermind wear) and four bottles of Nivea body wash
that I didn’t know I had and getting really excited over a new nailpolish at
Duane Reade (OPI Vampsterdam, for the record), only to find out that I already
had a bottle of it at home that I wasn’t using.
Me + Stress = Impulsive Bad Choices.
Resolution = Stop Making Impulsive Bad Choices.
Sleep on it. Revisit. And still try to resist.
But every rule has an exception and here comes mine…..if I
have a gift card, a coupon of some kind or some Drugstore dollars, then
purchasing is permitted. Within
reason. And with some limits. And I have to say, I’ve probably never been
as excited to hit up Drugstore.com as I was today. 10% off.
Drugstore Dollars to burn. Let
the games begin:
There were some essentials I needed (I’ll spare you the
details) and while hair products may not be on everyone’s essential list, but
you can bet the farm it’s on mine. So I
used to be an avid fan of Fekkai’s whole line. Everything smelled delish and
worked well. But then Sephora stopped selling it and while I could obvi find it
at about 100 other places, I used it as an excuse opportunity to break
new ground.
I'd like your hair. And your hubby.
But then about two years ago when I was growing my hair long
again, I realized it was time to protect it from all the hair drying and flat
ironing and curling ironing that was going on.
That’s when I came across Fekkai’s Coiff line.
This gem of a product is a leave condition that’s supposed
to protect my delicate little hair from all these heat damage I impose on it in
a very, very vain effort to not look like a complete disaster. Such is the plight of the somewhat curly-haired
girl who doesn’t have that great effortless curly hair, or even that great
full-of-effort wavy hair. But no matter
what I do with my hair I spray this stuff in and am convinced my hair (and my
life for that matter) are the better for it.
Or else I just needed the high from spending the $25 on this bottle of
amped up water because it’s been thirteen days and I needed a fix.
(But really...I swear…It works.)
Another thing that works – Yes To Carrots lip balm. I used to swear by the Whole Foods lip balm,
but since there wasn’t one in my neck of the hood until this fall, hoofing it
across town for $5.00 lip balm didn’t always happen. Now I swear by Yes! in Melon and it’s so damn
good. (And organic too!) Sometimes it’s the little things that make me
the happiest. I have this in my purse,
gym bag, nightstand, desk at work, make-up box and some in reserve. If you’re on the market for something new, or
always up for trying something new, pick this up. It comes in a whole host of
flavors if Melon isn’t exactly your thing (no judgment). It’s not even $4. If everything I worshipped were that cheap
I’d be a much richer girl!
But since nothing in life is free….and very few are
cheap….I’m in the freeze.
And then I started to feel my resistance wane. I swung by Duane Reade yesterday for some
milk and tissues (good god that sounds pathetic, doesn’t it). And I just couldn’t resist the urge to make a
hard right when I walked in and check out the OPI display. I’m like a moth to the flame. And my stomach flips at the sight of “Live
and Let Die” from the 007 collection.
(Yes…it’s preposterous that there’s a James Bon line of nailpolish, but
whatevs.) I managed to put the bottle
back down. Back away. And walk out of the store without it.
But I couldn’t get it out of my head all day. It’s this cool hunter green with some gold
undertones. I’ve been looking for a
great dark green since last fall, but ever color I found was matte and I don’t
do matte polish. The fact that I also
happened to have “Tomorrow Never Dies” next to my TV for when I’m ready for a
bit of Brosnan as Bond is just a sign from above. Or a rationalization from a shopaholic.
So like any good junkie I worked a trip into Duane Reade
into my day. I had to hit up two
different stores in my post-workout, swing by Whole Foods mission to get
it. And in a totally oddity that perhaps
only makes sense in an NYC drugstore, a woman stopped me while I was in the
nail polish section….to ask me for help….because she thought I was a Duane
Reade employee.
Now while this should seem at the very least, bizarre, on
the most fundamental level (and I don’t mean that in some snotty way…I’m a CVS
alum)….I’d like to point out what I looked like when this woman…in ALL
seriousness….asked me for help….then asked me if I worked there…and then
apologized quite nicely when I politely said I didn’t. I made the excursion after running on a
treadmill at the gym. So I was
wonderfully flushed (beet red), in workout pants and a fleece and a baseball
cap…with headphones in my ears…and my gym bag slung across me….while carrying a
shopping bag from Whole Foods. Do I look
like I work there?
Anyway…the important part of this story is I walked out with
a bottle of nail polish. And while I’m
not quite sure how it’s going to look, here’s the before for anyone interested
(the picture does it zero justice). Here’s hoping it meets exceeds my
expectations. Will report back on that.
For now….the Red Carpet is done and the show is underway. Tina and Amy were hysterical. It’s time to do my nails. Leo already lost, but I’m picking myself up. I’m obsessed with award shows for so many
reasons…the fashion….the celebrity….the acceptance speeches that make me cry….rooting
for my favorites…tearing up when they don’t win….and dreaming about what it
would be like to be there…dressed by Rachel Zoe…with a nomination for a writing
award.
I’ll be back with my very own fashion review, because I also
like to pretend that I can be on Fashion Police and be all chummy and witty and
fashionista-y with Guliana and Kelly and Joan and George.
Until then, someone….please….go out and spend money and
think of me while you’re doing it. I’m sure I’ll have some physical reaction
like ringing ears….or the ringing of cash registers.
#3:
