In my iPod right now: "Falling Slowly" - performed by American Idol contestant Kris Allen (I know - sucker! (but seriously, it's awesome))
I'm sad to say that my knowledge of celebrity gossip is slipping considerably. I mean, sure, while I'm in the checkout line, I'm as fixated on the tabloids as anyone, but I no longer subscribe to US Weekly, and I'm not as good about checking all of those fantastic celebrity buzz blogs as I used to be. I gave myself a pass for awhile based on my brief stint as a paparazzo last summer (a story for another day -I helped contribute to the machine in a pretty insignificant way), but it's getting a little ridiculous. It took me way too long, for example, to learn that Lindsay Lohan and her girlfriend Sam were broken up. Unacceptable. Really. I'm embarrassed.
Well, I recently had a chance to get reacquainted with the old reliable celebrity source People Magazine. Or so I thought. I had a series of dentist appointments to tackle my unfortunate abscess tooth condition, and I was confident that the waiting room would offer a plethora of reading options, including the aforementioned People Magazine and perhaps a few issues of Highlights for Children. I mean, that's the only good thing about the dentist, right? The waiting room reading material. (Actually, that's not entirely true. I like the lead apron too, but that's only because I'm kind of a freak.)
When I am wrong, I am so wrong. This dentist office (while standard Del Rio super friendly) offered only "DTV" (which stands not for "Dance T.V." from the highly underrated "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" starring a young Sarah Jessica Parker, but rather, "Dental T.V.") and various dental industry magazines. Really? I kind of thought that the best way to help patients relax in "the chair" is to help them forget they're at the dentist. A feature on gingivitis isn't going to make that happen. I think I might mention this when I return for my cleaning in June. As I recall, my usually literary snob mom (and I mean that with the utmost admiration) experienced something similar many years ago. Unlike this case, however, the dentist had once offered all of the waiting room greats (People, Sports Illustrated, you name it) but one day decided to cancel them all and replace them with random promotional magazines that had obviously been sent to the office for free. My mom was furious that her People was not there waiting for her, and the poor receptionist got an earful. I'm pretty sure they ended up just sucking it up and forking over the negligible $400/year or whatever they previously spent and renewing their subscriptions.
Trust me. It's worth it.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Washington DOES have a Fashion Week
I've only heard about it - never really attended a DC Fashion Week event - which is weird since I do love fashion. I think the DC Fashion Week has always been overshadowed by that of New York Fashion Week - and in the past, it's usually at this time that I'm desparately looking to see which Project Runway finalists have put out for their runway show in New York.
I heard that they did have a Project Runway finale - unfortunately, because the latest season hasn't been aired on either Bravo or Lifetime, the finalists and their talents are still unknown. But I digress.
My friend asked me if I wanted to attend a show for DC Fashion Week. Let me put things in perspective for those of you not familiar with the DC version of Fashion Week. From my understanding, it is put together by a local designer, Ean Williams. He brings together local designers to put together a two hour runway show two times a year (spring and fall). I don't expect you'll ever see DC Fashion Week advertised as the Mercedes-Benz DC Fashion Week - nor will you ever see a runway show featuring Anna Sui or Betsey Johnson. For this latest spring fashion week, there were only four events - Menswear Show, Fashion Industry Networking show, African Students Fashion Show and the Couture Collections. We signed up to attend the Couture Collections.
I really didn't know what to expect. Would there be celebrities? (No.) Would Michelle Obama be there considering she's the newest fashion sensation to hit DC? (No.) Would there be some relative unknown designer that would wow me with their creations? (No.)
Most of the designers have been designing for over 10+ years. They all have their own style but unfortunately, I was not really wowed by any of their works. I would say out of the 10 designers that showed, I would probably only consider purchasing something from two of the designers. The first half of the show left a lot to be desired - there were things being shown that I could've found at 'Frederick's of Hollywood' or 'Hot Topic.' There were colors being used that haven't been 'it' colors since 1987 (who said peach was coming back?!). There were dresses that I think you could find at sketchy Chinese massage parlors. Some of the foreign designers, who hailed from countries like Siberia, Mongolia and Pakistan (to name a few) were so distinctive in their designs that their outfits weren't very 'ready to wear.' But then again, you have to remember we were at the couture collection show....but I didn't see how any of the stuff that was shown could be designated as couture.
Let's move onto the models. These were not NY Fashion Week caliber models - I will put that out there right now. They were all skinny (I swear one was like a size negative two) and tall and apparently they all had to supply their own shoes. So here were some problems - you had models in their own shoes (usually black, platform-like, stripper shoes) wearing more ethnic looking outfits...it didn't look right. You had super-pale girls wearing all the sorbet-colored outfits which washed out the models and did nothing flattering to the outfits on display. I see how designers are very particular about the models that wear their clothes - I didn't understand why the designers here weren't as particular....there was a body of like 30-something models - so it's not like you couldn't find ONE that would make your outfit really stand out.
There were three models in particular that really caught my attention - in a not-so-good way. One model came out and at first I didn't think anything of her - but towards the middle of the show, she started reminding me of John Leguizamo, in drag, in 'To Wong Foo....' . There was a second model (the size negative two) that was basically marching up and down the runway - we're talking high steps and prancing - it started to remind me of a horse. And then the third model that irked me...let's just say that when she first came out, my friend asked if that was a man or woman and all I could say was ''All the Single Ladies' by Beyonce keeps playing in my head when I see her.'
During the show, even though the runway music was turned on loud, I could still hear such a ruckus going on behind the curtains, or backstage. I thought a fight broke out at one point. I heard someone calling something to attention cause every so often, you would hear two claps....but the noise backstage never died down. It was distracting and annoying - they should have thought about putting more of a separation between the stage and the changing/prep area.
All in all - as my first fashion runway experience - it was just that...an experience. I think I need a taste of NY Fashion Week to see what it's really suppose to be like.
DC Fashion Week - their motto is 'Establishing Washington as the Center of International Fashion.' I think it's still got a long way to go....before toppling the likes of Milan, Paris and London.
I heard that they did have a Project Runway finale - unfortunately, because the latest season hasn't been aired on either Bravo or Lifetime, the finalists and their talents are still unknown. But I digress.
My friend asked me if I wanted to attend a show for DC Fashion Week. Let me put things in perspective for those of you not familiar with the DC version of Fashion Week. From my understanding, it is put together by a local designer, Ean Williams. He brings together local designers to put together a two hour runway show two times a year (spring and fall). I don't expect you'll ever see DC Fashion Week advertised as the Mercedes-Benz DC Fashion Week - nor will you ever see a runway show featuring Anna Sui or Betsey Johnson. For this latest spring fashion week, there were only four events - Menswear Show, Fashion Industry Networking show, African Students Fashion Show and the Couture Collections. We signed up to attend the Couture Collections.
I really didn't know what to expect. Would there be celebrities? (No.) Would Michelle Obama be there considering she's the newest fashion sensation to hit DC? (No.) Would there be some relative unknown designer that would wow me with their creations? (No.)
Most of the designers have been designing for over 10+ years. They all have their own style but unfortunately, I was not really wowed by any of their works. I would say out of the 10 designers that showed, I would probably only consider purchasing something from two of the designers. The first half of the show left a lot to be desired - there were things being shown that I could've found at 'Frederick's of Hollywood' or 'Hot Topic.' There were colors being used that haven't been 'it' colors since 1987 (who said peach was coming back?!). There were dresses that I think you could find at sketchy Chinese massage parlors. Some of the foreign designers, who hailed from countries like Siberia, Mongolia and Pakistan (to name a few) were so distinctive in their designs that their outfits weren't very 'ready to wear.' But then again, you have to remember we were at the couture collection show....but I didn't see how any of the stuff that was shown could be designated as couture.
Let's move onto the models. These were not NY Fashion Week caliber models - I will put that out there right now. They were all skinny (I swear one was like a size negative two) and tall and apparently they all had to supply their own shoes. So here were some problems - you had models in their own shoes (usually black, platform-like, stripper shoes) wearing more ethnic looking outfits...it didn't look right. You had super-pale girls wearing all the sorbet-colored outfits which washed out the models and did nothing flattering to the outfits on display. I see how designers are very particular about the models that wear their clothes - I didn't understand why the designers here weren't as particular....there was a body of like 30-something models - so it's not like you couldn't find ONE that would make your outfit really stand out.
There were three models in particular that really caught my attention - in a not-so-good way. One model came out and at first I didn't think anything of her - but towards the middle of the show, she started reminding me of John Leguizamo, in drag, in 'To Wong Foo....' . There was a second model (the size negative two) that was basically marching up and down the runway - we're talking high steps and prancing - it started to remind me of a horse. And then the third model that irked me...let's just say that when she first came out, my friend asked if that was a man or woman and all I could say was ''All the Single Ladies' by Beyonce keeps playing in my head when I see her.'
During the show, even though the runway music was turned on loud, I could still hear such a ruckus going on behind the curtains, or backstage. I thought a fight broke out at one point. I heard someone calling something to attention cause every so often, you would hear two claps....but the noise backstage never died down. It was distracting and annoying - they should have thought about putting more of a separation between the stage and the changing/prep area.
All in all - as my first fashion runway experience - it was just that...an experience. I think I need a taste of NY Fashion Week to see what it's really suppose to be like.
DC Fashion Week - their motto is 'Establishing Washington as the Center of International Fashion.' I think it's still got a long way to go....before toppling the likes of Milan, Paris and London.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Why Are Handlers Out of Shape?!
Last night had me struggling to stay awake as I was watching the 'Herding Group' of the Westminster Dog Show. This is my favorite group because it has my favorite dog, the Old English Sheepdog. A friend of mine had one growing up and my Mother's best friend had one too. A few years ago, there was an Old English Sheepdog that was at the top of his game at all the dog shows, Yoshii! I thought he was just so adorable with his fluffed up hair and barely-to-non visible eyes. And now I continue to call all Old English Sheepdogs Yoshii.'Yoshii' did not disappoint last night - I liked watching him prance around the arena and constantly wondered if he really did have eyes! He ended up taking fourth place in the herding group...he lost to the 'rasta' dog (aka - the Puli) - the one that looks like a mop.
Anyway, as I was waiting patiently, and trying to keep my eyes open for 'Yoshii' to do his thing, I was looking at all the other dogs and how their handlers handle them and I had to wonder - why are there so many out of shape handlers? You would think because they have to train the dog, walk the dog, primp the dog and run up and down with the dog to show him off would have them in decent shape. I'm not saying all handlers are out of shape but some of them are. I wonder if it's bad that the handlers can't keep up with the dog while it's taking it's turn around the arena...does that hurt the chances of the dog winning, at all? Are the handlers sneaking snacks for the dogs and for themselves?
I just had to put that question out there - I asked my husband...he didn't know. I didn't pay attention to the handlers that actually won their breeding class but I'll have to take a look during best in show...how many 'out of shape' handlers actually make it to the 'big show.'
Friday, February 6, 2009
Closing Time
In my iPod right now: Fade Into You by Mazzy Star
A few weeks ago, the Waldenbooks in the Plaza Del Sol "Mall" in Del Rio, Texas shut its doors for good. In truth, it was a crummy bookstore that appeared to be run by a bunch of teenagers who felt it more important to gab and text on their cell phones than to ring up a customer's purchase. The place was in total disarray most of the time, clearly demonstrating where the workers' priorities were. It was really a sad leftover from the 80's, when B. Dalton's and Waldenbooks ruled the world (I know this because together they were responsible for enabling my severe "Sweet Valley High" habit.) It gave me none of those great feelings and imaginary conversations that bookstores seem to promote for me (such as "See how smart and interesting I am? I like to browse history books."). This Waldenbooks had no coffee shop, no music section, no greeting card/gift collection. But it did have one thing going for it: it was the only game in town. When I saw what was happening, why it was having a big "40% off everything sale," I was too sad to even peruse the great bargains. Instead, I went to my car and cried.
The thing is: seeing any store or restaurant going out of business has always made me melancholy. For some people, I guess it's nice to take advantage of the sales, but I can't see past the fact that someone's project, maybe even someone's dream, has died. It's why I have trouble watching "You've Got Mail." I'm the one who needs the tissues when Meg Ryan closes her mother's children's bookstore. It's positively heartbreaking. I guess we're supposed to be happy that Tom Hanks and the big Fox Books rescues her, but it's still hard to watch. I'm not even saying that I wouldn't have patronized Fox Books (I did, after all, pay $25 annually to be a Barnes and Noble "member"). But I still like to support the mom and pop shops if I can, even if they're more expensive. It's worth it; supporting the dream is worth it.
On a more personal level, I can't help but be disturbed that my little town can't keep a bookstore in business. I'm an aspiring novelist, after all. And my success depends on readers. I am all for being that sellout I talked about in my last post. I know times are tough, and almost every industry is suffering, but this is my plea to you:
Please Keep Supporting the Publishing Industry.
You know that feeling you get when you've read a really great book: that feeling that you've escaped to another world. It's a feeling that immerses you, that makes your imagination soar - much more than a two hour movie ever could.
Cherish it.
A few weeks ago, the Waldenbooks in the Plaza Del Sol "Mall" in Del Rio, Texas shut its doors for good. In truth, it was a crummy bookstore that appeared to be run by a bunch of teenagers who felt it more important to gab and text on their cell phones than to ring up a customer's purchase. The place was in total disarray most of the time, clearly demonstrating where the workers' priorities were. It was really a sad leftover from the 80's, when B. Dalton's and Waldenbooks ruled the world (I know this because together they were responsible for enabling my severe "Sweet Valley High" habit.) It gave me none of those great feelings and imaginary conversations that bookstores seem to promote for me (such as "See how smart and interesting I am? I like to browse history books."). This Waldenbooks had no coffee shop, no music section, no greeting card/gift collection. But it did have one thing going for it: it was the only game in town. When I saw what was happening, why it was having a big "40% off everything sale," I was too sad to even peruse the great bargains. Instead, I went to my car and cried.
The thing is: seeing any store or restaurant going out of business has always made me melancholy. For some people, I guess it's nice to take advantage of the sales, but I can't see past the fact that someone's project, maybe even someone's dream, has died. It's why I have trouble watching "You've Got Mail." I'm the one who needs the tissues when Meg Ryan closes her mother's children's bookstore. It's positively heartbreaking. I guess we're supposed to be happy that Tom Hanks and the big Fox Books rescues her, but it's still hard to watch. I'm not even saying that I wouldn't have patronized Fox Books (I did, after all, pay $25 annually to be a Barnes and Noble "member"). But I still like to support the mom and pop shops if I can, even if they're more expensive. It's worth it; supporting the dream is worth it.
On a more personal level, I can't help but be disturbed that my little town can't keep a bookstore in business. I'm an aspiring novelist, after all. And my success depends on readers. I am all for being that sellout I talked about in my last post. I know times are tough, and almost every industry is suffering, but this is my plea to you:
Please Keep Supporting the Publishing Industry.
You know that feeling you get when you've read a really great book: that feeling that you've escaped to another world. It's a feeling that immerses you, that makes your imagination soar - much more than a two hour movie ever could.
Cherish it.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Looking Back... with Regrets
Looking back through my life, I have a pocketful of little regrets - things that I wish I did when I had the chance or things that I wish I could have done differently at the time. I think everyone goes through these tiny regrets.
There are some instances in my mind that stick out where I think, 'Why did I do that?!' like the time I went to school (high school) in my Victoria's Secret Pajamas that looked like a nice, summery outfit. What possessed me to wear it to school and were other people wearing it? Weird. And I think I did it more than once so that was not good.
As I sit here and watch VH-1 Classic and Cher's 'If I Could Turn Back Time' plays in the background, where she's strutting around a Navy ship in her sheer bodysuit with satin strips of fabric covering all the right places, I wonder, does she ever look back at the video and think 'What was I thinking when I said 'yes' to that outfit?' I won't deny that she has a killer body in the video and she doesn't look bad in the outfit, but was it really necessary? Couldn't she have stuck with her super cut-up jeans and a skin-tight top and had the same effect? I mean I know we're talking about Cher here and our fashion tastes definitely do not run the same course, but aside from this video, do you think she ever looks back to the 'Sonny and Cher' era and gag at her Bob Mackie gowns?
There are some instances in my mind that stick out where I think, 'Why did I do that?!' like the time I went to school (high school) in my Victoria's Secret Pajamas that looked like a nice, summery outfit. What possessed me to wear it to school and were other people wearing it? Weird. And I think I did it more than once so that was not good.
As I sit here and watch VH-1 Classic and Cher's 'If I Could Turn Back Time' plays in the background, where she's strutting around a Navy ship in her sheer bodysuit with satin strips of fabric covering all the right places, I wonder, does she ever look back at the video and think 'What was I thinking when I said 'yes' to that outfit?' I won't deny that she has a killer body in the video and she doesn't look bad in the outfit, but was it really necessary? Couldn't she have stuck with her super cut-up jeans and a skin-tight top and had the same effect? I mean I know we're talking about Cher here and our fashion tastes definitely do not run the same course, but aside from this video, do you think she ever looks back to the 'Sonny and Cher' era and gag at her Bob Mackie gowns?
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