When you're in the advertising business you're always seeing work you wish you'd done. (And some work you wish you'd been able to be in the meeting to see sold because it's so unbelievably bad, but I digress.)
Here's one I wish I'd done.
It takes a couple minutes to load, but it's totally worth the wait.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Only 3 more to go.
I love fashion. Fashion magazines. Fashion TV shows. Looking at people who have NO sense of fashion. What Not to Wear is one of my favorite shows, and I've got Grace hooked on it too. (Never too early to learn how to put together a sharp outfit!)
During the winter it's easy to get in the wardrobe doldrums. And it can be hard to figure out what to wear to work when it's 14 degrees outside. Here's a list I got from the Oprah Show last year of 10 things you must have in your closet. Start with these basics and you can build any outfit by adding jewelry, a colorful bag, a great scarf or dynamic shoes. What I loved about this particular episode and list is that these are all attainable things that real women can wear, whether you're running to the grocery store, going to a client meeting or having lunch with your friends (this is a fantasy experience I hope to have someday. Right now my lunch with friends boils down to going to whatever place we're the least sick of during the workday. But at least I can look good while eating at Brewster's for the 978th time, right?)
These items are not in order of priority, just a list you can refer back to when you shop and as you build your basics. Remember, quality is more important than quantity. They always preach that on WNTW, and I've found that it really is true.
1. Colorful trench coat
I bought a bold green one from Ann Taylor a year ago. Every time I wear it I get at least one compliment. I love how it ties at the waist so you look like you have an actual shape and I feel great in it.
2. Black and white turtlenecks
Not the seamless LL Bean kind. Nice cashmere or a more shape hugging good quality knit. These will go with everything and are great for layering. You might also have to replace them yearly because nothing says bad fashion like faded or greying clothing.
3. Black trousers
Go with a nice 3-season gabardine wool or other light wool. Stay away from pleats. A slight boot cut is flattering to nearly everyone. Don't avoid buying nice pants because you don't want to deal with getting them hemmed - it's worth it. So is dry cleaning. So are pants that cost a little bit more than you'd like. They will hold their shape and hem, they will fit great and they will last a long time. White House/Black Market has some really great options at an affordable price.
4. Tunic top
Okay, I thought tunics were only for women at least 55 years old. Not so. I have a tunic top in a flowered print that looks fantastic and age-appropriate. Pick a bold color like a rich blue, deep pink or purple, which is very trendy this year and flattering to many skin tones.
5. White and dark jeans
Dark jeans can go dressy with heels and a jacket, or casual with a turtleneck and down vest. It may take a long time to find some that fit you just right, but be patient. You WILL find them. White jeans look great all year - forget that silly Labor Day rule. Personally, I think white jeans are more on the casual side, but they are a great mix of a casual cut and fabric, with an unexpected color. Like the trousers, boot cut styles are pretty universally flattering and will outlast ridiculous trends like pencil jeans (are they kidding!!). Again, don't be afraid to go to the tailor - it will be well worth it.
6. White or dark denim jacket
Nothing says "I love the 80s" like a light denim jacket (or worse, acid wash, but I know none of you have that. Anymore.). Look for a jacket cut to fit a woman's body with a little curve in on the side. Do not buy a boxy boy's jean jacket. Do not buy a jean jacket with metal studs or any other type of bedazzling.
7. Black dress
The LBD is something I've read a lot about, but never owned. Until recently. Now I have a summer version and a fall/winter version. The fall/winter version I sometimes wear over jeans for a really cool tunic-y look. It can also go with tights and boots. Like good jeans, this is an item it might take time to find. It needs to fit perfectly. You might need to have it tailored to fit around the waist or bust, or wherever your body doesn't exactly fit the model they use to sew from. (No one's body fits those perfectly. Find a good tailor and make sure to give him/her a Christmas gift.) Don't search for this dress when you need it or you might make a bad choice. Just keep your eyes open and the right dress will find you.
8. Black skirt
Keep it knee length. Go A-line or do a pencil skirt, but avoid pleats. Stick to a wool blend that will hold its shape well. Another way to go on this is a very dark denim skirt. I got one from J. Crew earlier this year that works just as well as a black skirt, but I like it better because it's a notch funkier.
9. Cashmere sweater in bold color
I had long wondered whether the rumors of cashmere's superior qualities were real or a gimmick propagated by... well, everyone. This year I discovered they're true. J. Crew has excellent cashmere that's pricey, but too much. And Ann Taylor recently won some kind of affordable cashmere showdown I read about in a magazine. But the real key here is the bold color. Don't get black because it's cashmere and you don't want to buy orange when you're spending this kind of money.
Here's why: The sweater will pay for itself in comfort, warmth and utter wearability. Also, in the dead of winter you need some color near your face, for god's sake! I got a cashmere sweater in bright peony pink. I have to be careful not to wear it every other day I love it so much! And who knew that peony pink could go with so much!
10. Bold flats and an oversize bag
Okay, that's actually two things, but that's what the list was on the show. The point is, you don't have to kill yourself in heels (says the queen of impractical shoes). Flats with an embellishment like a buckle, simple bow or other detailing look great and are a hundred times more comfortable once you get used to living at your actual height. And an oversize bag - oversize, not suitcase size - can double as a work tote, diaper bag or whatever else you need to carry, without making you look like a bag lady.
The after-Christmas sales are coming! Happy shopping girls!
During the winter it's easy to get in the wardrobe doldrums. And it can be hard to figure out what to wear to work when it's 14 degrees outside. Here's a list I got from the Oprah Show last year of 10 things you must have in your closet. Start with these basics and you can build any outfit by adding jewelry, a colorful bag, a great scarf or dynamic shoes. What I loved about this particular episode and list is that these are all attainable things that real women can wear, whether you're running to the grocery store, going to a client meeting or having lunch with your friends (this is a fantasy experience I hope to have someday. Right now my lunch with friends boils down to going to whatever place we're the least sick of during the workday. But at least I can look good while eating at Brewster's for the 978th time, right?)
These items are not in order of priority, just a list you can refer back to when you shop and as you build your basics. Remember, quality is more important than quantity. They always preach that on WNTW, and I've found that it really is true.
1. Colorful trench coat
I bought a bold green one from Ann Taylor a year ago. Every time I wear it I get at least one compliment. I love how it ties at the waist so you look like you have an actual shape and I feel great in it.
2. Black and white turtlenecks
Not the seamless LL Bean kind. Nice cashmere or a more shape hugging good quality knit. These will go with everything and are great for layering. You might also have to replace them yearly because nothing says bad fashion like faded or greying clothing.
3. Black trousers
Go with a nice 3-season gabardine wool or other light wool. Stay away from pleats. A slight boot cut is flattering to nearly everyone. Don't avoid buying nice pants because you don't want to deal with getting them hemmed - it's worth it. So is dry cleaning. So are pants that cost a little bit more than you'd like. They will hold their shape and hem, they will fit great and they will last a long time. White House/Black Market has some really great options at an affordable price.
4. Tunic top
Okay, I thought tunics were only for women at least 55 years old. Not so. I have a tunic top in a flowered print that looks fantastic and age-appropriate. Pick a bold color like a rich blue, deep pink or purple, which is very trendy this year and flattering to many skin tones.
5. White and dark jeans
Dark jeans can go dressy with heels and a jacket, or casual with a turtleneck and down vest. It may take a long time to find some that fit you just right, but be patient. You WILL find them. White jeans look great all year - forget that silly Labor Day rule. Personally, I think white jeans are more on the casual side, but they are a great mix of a casual cut and fabric, with an unexpected color. Like the trousers, boot cut styles are pretty universally flattering and will outlast ridiculous trends like pencil jeans (are they kidding!!). Again, don't be afraid to go to the tailor - it will be well worth it.
6. White or dark denim jacket
Nothing says "I love the 80s" like a light denim jacket (or worse, acid wash, but I know none of you have that. Anymore.). Look for a jacket cut to fit a woman's body with a little curve in on the side. Do not buy a boxy boy's jean jacket. Do not buy a jean jacket with metal studs or any other type of bedazzling.
7. Black dress
The LBD is something I've read a lot about, but never owned. Until recently. Now I have a summer version and a fall/winter version. The fall/winter version I sometimes wear over jeans for a really cool tunic-y look. It can also go with tights and boots. Like good jeans, this is an item it might take time to find. It needs to fit perfectly. You might need to have it tailored to fit around the waist or bust, or wherever your body doesn't exactly fit the model they use to sew from. (No one's body fits those perfectly. Find a good tailor and make sure to give him/her a Christmas gift.) Don't search for this dress when you need it or you might make a bad choice. Just keep your eyes open and the right dress will find you.
8. Black skirt
Keep it knee length. Go A-line or do a pencil skirt, but avoid pleats. Stick to a wool blend that will hold its shape well. Another way to go on this is a very dark denim skirt. I got one from J. Crew earlier this year that works just as well as a black skirt, but I like it better because it's a notch funkier.
9. Cashmere sweater in bold color
I had long wondered whether the rumors of cashmere's superior qualities were real or a gimmick propagated by... well, everyone. This year I discovered they're true. J. Crew has excellent cashmere that's pricey, but too much. And Ann Taylor recently won some kind of affordable cashmere showdown I read about in a magazine. But the real key here is the bold color. Don't get black because it's cashmere and you don't want to buy orange when you're spending this kind of money.
Here's why: The sweater will pay for itself in comfort, warmth and utter wearability. Also, in the dead of winter you need some color near your face, for god's sake! I got a cashmere sweater in bright peony pink. I have to be careful not to wear it every other day I love it so much! And who knew that peony pink could go with so much!
10. Bold flats and an oversize bag
Okay, that's actually two things, but that's what the list was on the show. The point is, you don't have to kill yourself in heels (says the queen of impractical shoes). Flats with an embellishment like a buckle, simple bow or other detailing look great and are a hundred times more comfortable once you get used to living at your actual height. And an oversize bag - oversize, not suitcase size - can double as a work tote, diaper bag or whatever else you need to carry, without making you look like a bag lady.
The after-Christmas sales are coming! Happy shopping girls!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Just say No to clutter!
How's your Christmas shopping going?
Mine is not going too hot, but I have big plans to get done by Thursday of this week. It's hard to avoid buying toys for the various kids in my life, but for adults and older kids I really try to give gifts that are not clutter. This isn't always easy, especially when you don't like to give gift cards (which I don't). I only have a couple of good ideas, but in case you only need a couple of good ideas here they are.
1. Give food. Everyone loves food and it doesn't have to be homemade. Food is especially good for older people who don't always have a lot of space, but pretty much always have a lot of STUFF.
2. Teach people how to make food. A gift subscription to an online recipe newsletter like The Scramble is truly the gift that keeps on giving. The recipes are good, easy and quick, which is especially important when you work outside the home.
3. Give books. Okay, books are technically clutter. But they can be shared. And when you're a reader (like me) who doesn't really like to spend the money on buying a book it's a wonderful gift. Books give us a shared experience and can be totally life changing. Not to mention funny.
One of the perks of owning your own business is setting your own vacation schedule. That means I've got two weeks off for Christmas so you might not hear too much from me.
Merry Christmas!
Mine is not going too hot, but I have big plans to get done by Thursday of this week. It's hard to avoid buying toys for the various kids in my life, but for adults and older kids I really try to give gifts that are not clutter. This isn't always easy, especially when you don't like to give gift cards (which I don't). I only have a couple of good ideas, but in case you only need a couple of good ideas here they are.
1. Give food. Everyone loves food and it doesn't have to be homemade. Food is especially good for older people who don't always have a lot of space, but pretty much always have a lot of STUFF.
2. Teach people how to make food. A gift subscription to an online recipe newsletter like The Scramble is truly the gift that keeps on giving. The recipes are good, easy and quick, which is especially important when you work outside the home.
3. Give books. Okay, books are technically clutter. But they can be shared. And when you're a reader (like me) who doesn't really like to spend the money on buying a book it's a wonderful gift. Books give us a shared experience and can be totally life changing. Not to mention funny.
One of the perks of owning your own business is setting your own vacation schedule. That means I've got two weeks off for Christmas so you might not hear too much from me.
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Yes, you can give a great gift without spending a ton.
I have a friend who is already done Christmas shopping (you know who you are!). I wish I was that person, but I'm just not and probably never will be. I'm not that organized, and I also sometimes struggle to find creative gift ideas that aren't expensive but kinda seem that way.
I also like to give gifts that do not add clutter to people's lives. We all have enough stuff. We don't need more. So what's an anti-clutter, wanting-to-be-creative, looking for something personal and fun, gift giver to do?
Why, go to colorbutton of course!
This is a business started by a good friend of mine who is very talented and creative. Her custom stationery designs are fresh, fun and make a great gift for someone like a teacher, your great aunt who still writes thank-you notes by hand or even as a cool hostess gift for your sister-in-law who always knocks herself out putting on the family Christmas dinner.
Know what I love most about this gift idea? It's a great way to support a small business owned by another one of us girls just trying to do things our own way.
I also like to give gifts that do not add clutter to people's lives. We all have enough stuff. We don't need more. So what's an anti-clutter, wanting-to-be-creative, looking for something personal and fun, gift giver to do?
Why, go to colorbutton of course!
This is a business started by a good friend of mine who is very talented and creative. Her custom stationery designs are fresh, fun and make a great gift for someone like a teacher, your great aunt who still writes thank-you notes by hand or even as a cool hostess gift for your sister-in-law who always knocks herself out putting on the family Christmas dinner.
Know what I love most about this gift idea? It's a great way to support a small business owned by another one of us girls just trying to do things our own way.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Travelin' mama.
I'm traveling on business this week. We left on Sunday for two days in Tampa (which, by the way, is COLD!), then I'm going to Indy for a meeting on Wednesday. I feel like I've been gone forever. I know my house will be a mess when I get home, because I'm pretty sure moms have a specialized ability to not only feed and dress their children, but to do it while also putting away dishes and toys. Since I've been gone I've had two incredibly good dinners and totally enjoyed getting ready in the morning by myself. With the TV on. And the curtains open to let in the morning sun.
I've met Jessica Biel's dad (yes, that Jessica Biel) and took a hospital tour guided by a Shriner wearing a sequin-encrusted fez.
I've gotten turned around in traffic and drove back and forth across a 5-mile bridge, only to get to dinner at the time I was supposed to be there anyway (without having a chance to get back to my hotel in between, which was my original goal).
I've slept in the Westin's Heavenly Bed and taken a shower in their Heavenly Shower, which features TWO shower heads working simultaneously.
And the whole time I've missed my kids so much I can hardly stand it. I miss kissing them at bedtime. Reading Dora's Princess Adventure to Lauren for the 987th time. Lying in bed with Grace laughing about her day or my made up song. I miss their sweet smell and soft, dimpled hands.
So many times, on so many hectic days I've thought how nice it would be to have some time to myself. No fannies to wipe. Meals to make. Bedtime routines to complete.
This week I have it. But I'm ready for it to be over.
I've met Jessica Biel's dad (yes, that Jessica Biel) and took a hospital tour guided by a Shriner wearing a sequin-encrusted fez.
I've gotten turned around in traffic and drove back and forth across a 5-mile bridge, only to get to dinner at the time I was supposed to be there anyway (without having a chance to get back to my hotel in between, which was my original goal).
I've slept in the Westin's Heavenly Bed and taken a shower in their Heavenly Shower, which features TWO shower heads working simultaneously.
And the whole time I've missed my kids so much I can hardly stand it. I miss kissing them at bedtime. Reading Dora's Princess Adventure to Lauren for the 987th time. Lying in bed with Grace laughing about her day or my made up song. I miss their sweet smell and soft, dimpled hands.
So many times, on so many hectic days I've thought how nice it would be to have some time to myself. No fannies to wipe. Meals to make. Bedtime routines to complete.
This week I have it. But I'm ready for it to be over.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
It must have been the wine.
Last night I went to my first ever jewelry party.
Actually, it was my first-ever purse/jewelry/make-up/cookware/tupperware party. Ever. I've been invited, but I've never actually gone. And just exactly what happens at these things has been a total mystery to me.
Well, I'll tell you what happens. You spend $137 dollars and wind up booking your own party for a Monday night in December.
It really must have been the wine, because I'm just not in the habit of doing this kind of thing. This is, in part, because I secretly fear I don't have enough friends and I'll end up with a party consisting of me, my sister (who also does not participate in this sort of thing, but would come out of sympathy for me), my mother-in-law and the cat. It's also because, although I actually love to entertain, I just don't know what these parties are all about and I feel a little awkward about asking people to come over to my house and buy stuff.
But as it turns out this party was totally fun! I really didn't mind spending the money because I got three Christmas presents and one birthday present bought. I won a prize! And I got totally sold on the idea of how much jewelry I could buy if I was actually a hostess. Did I say sold? I meant suckered.
Sorry, I don't mean to offend those of you who already know all about this thing and love it. Because while I feel a little bit suckered, I also feel like I've discovered a great way to get together with some girls and have a good time doing what comes pretty naturally to us all - shopping.
If you aren't around here I'll be emailing you to invite you to shop via my party online. The actual event is December 8, and all orders are guaranteed to get here before Christmas. And I KNOW you've got a mother in law/sister in law/mom/aunt/secret santa partner/grandma/best friend who has everything, but still loves jewelry. Only 42 shopping days left until Christmas!
P.S. Sorry about the Exhibit A on the previous post with no photo. I'm having some trouble with that.
Actually, it was my first-ever purse/jewelry/make-up/cookware/tupperware party. Ever. I've been invited, but I've never actually gone. And just exactly what happens at these things has been a total mystery to me.
Well, I'll tell you what happens. You spend $137 dollars and wind up booking your own party for a Monday night in December.
It really must have been the wine, because I'm just not in the habit of doing this kind of thing. This is, in part, because I secretly fear I don't have enough friends and I'll end up with a party consisting of me, my sister (who also does not participate in this sort of thing, but would come out of sympathy for me), my mother-in-law and the cat. It's also because, although I actually love to entertain, I just don't know what these parties are all about and I feel a little awkward about asking people to come over to my house and buy stuff.
But as it turns out this party was totally fun! I really didn't mind spending the money because I got three Christmas presents and one birthday present bought. I won a prize! And I got totally sold on the idea of how much jewelry I could buy if I was actually a hostess. Did I say sold? I meant suckered.
Sorry, I don't mean to offend those of you who already know all about this thing and love it. Because while I feel a little bit suckered, I also feel like I've discovered a great way to get together with some girls and have a good time doing what comes pretty naturally to us all - shopping.
If you aren't around here I'll be emailing you to invite you to shop via my party online. The actual event is December 8, and all orders are guaranteed to get here before Christmas. And I KNOW you've got a mother in law/sister in law/mom/aunt/secret santa partner/grandma/best friend who has everything, but still loves jewelry. Only 42 shopping days left until Christmas!
P.S. Sorry about the Exhibit A on the previous post with no photo. I'm having some trouble with that.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Some people never go out of style.
It's no big secret that I love clothes and shoes. What girl doesn't? As I get older I find it hard to hit just the right note - not too juvenile, not too matronly. I want to look good and stay current, but not like I'm trying too hard. You know what I mean.... the cleavage, the nails, the highlights, the clothes just a little too tight? The skirt that was really meant for a 16-year-old? One too many pieces featuring shimmer/animal print/denim? Also, I occassionally have to visit clients who have a slightly less.... creative... environment than I normally spend my day in.
I'm sure I'm not alone on my quest for timeless style. Make that timeless style that doesn't look like what everyone else bought at the mall. I'm guessing I'm also not alone in my continuous quest for ideas and tips on how to make it happen. That's one of the reasons I love the blog Omiru. It's kind of a weird name, but they have great ideas for how to put together really fun, fresh and simple outfits. As a working mom, simple is a huge deal. I mean, who can grocery shop in 6 inch heels and stacked bangle bracelets? I love their posts on re-creating the look of stars/people with great style.
As for the shopping piece of it, one of my favorites is Boden. They're pricing is about like J. Crew, not too cheap but not out-of-range expensive either. They're clothes are fun and creative and everything I've bought from them I have fallen in love with immediately.
One of my other best resources is What Not to Wear. This may be the greatest concept for a TV show ever invented. (Besides Lost, which is a whole different post.) If I could actually get a job hosting that show I would drop everything I am doing and run to NYC. These people have the most super fun job on earth. I mean, how many times have you wanted to pull someone over on the street and just say, "Honey, what kind of pants are you wearing?! Let me help you!"
But I have to confess: Sometimes all my logic gets the best of me.
Exhibit A:
I'm sure I'm not alone on my quest for timeless style. Make that timeless style that doesn't look like what everyone else bought at the mall. I'm guessing I'm also not alone in my continuous quest for ideas and tips on how to make it happen. That's one of the reasons I love the blog Omiru. It's kind of a weird name, but they have great ideas for how to put together really fun, fresh and simple outfits. As a working mom, simple is a huge deal. I mean, who can grocery shop in 6 inch heels and stacked bangle bracelets? I love their posts on re-creating the look of stars/people with great style.
As for the shopping piece of it, one of my favorites is Boden. They're pricing is about like J. Crew, not too cheap but not out-of-range expensive either. They're clothes are fun and creative and everything I've bought from them I have fallen in love with immediately.
One of my other best resources is What Not to Wear. This may be the greatest concept for a TV show ever invented. (Besides Lost, which is a whole different post.) If I could actually get a job hosting that show I would drop everything I am doing and run to NYC. These people have the most super fun job on earth. I mean, how many times have you wanted to pull someone over on the street and just say, "Honey, what kind of pants are you wearing?! Let me help you!"
But I have to confess: Sometimes all my logic gets the best of me.
Exhibit A:
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
GOBAMA!!!
How late did you stay up last night? Did you feel certain that Obama would win, or were you wondering if somehow John McCain could pull a rabbit out of his hat? Were you celebrating or worrying?
No matter what the answer, all of us shared one thing: We were witness to history.
Record voter turnouts. Dramatic shifts in voter demographics. A populace engaged like never before in recent memory. And a black man elected president.
I was at an election results party at the home of close and long-time friends of ours. They are lifelong Republicans who had voted Democrat this time around. They are also old enough to remember the struggles of the civil rights movement. One of the most interesting conversations we had last night was about the idea that some white voters might say they would vote for a black man and then not be able to do it when they were in the privacy of their voting booth. All of the guests gathered there (besides us) were in their same age group and shared this opinion.
But Chad and I both agreed that this seemed unlikely. We aren't naive, but we didn't believe people would get to the voting booth and have a sudden change of heart based solely on skin color.
Our friends remarked that we are part of a different generation. We are post-civil rights movement, part of the generation that brought rap into the mainstream and has grown up in a much more multi-cultural world than our parents.
That's true. We grew up watching Sesame Street and Fat Albert, the Cosby Show and Different Strokes. We listened to Run DMC, Bobby Brown and Michael Jackson. We looked up to Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. We wanted to be Will Smith and Whitney Houston (before she hooked up with Bobby Brown!).
It's almost impossible for us to imagine the struggles the generations before us faced. Yes, we've learned about them, talked about them. But we haven't lived them. At least for me, it's hard for my imagination to stretch so far that I can imagine what it was like when people were treated differently based on one criteria over which they had no choice or control.
The more I thought about it the more I realized how proud and thrilled I am that my daughters will grow up not remembering a world without a black man as president. I can't wait to tell my grandchildren stories they will barely believe about how exciting it was when this man was elected. How, even though we had come a long way, we had not yet leaped across this important hurdle. But most of all, I will be proud to tell them how we, as a country, made our voices heard. How we voted for a man who inspired us, who showed remarkable calm in the face of almost unbearable uncertainty about the economy, the environment and the middle east, who was a father, a son, a husband and a human being. How we chose the best man for the job and the color of his skin was totally beside the point.
No matter what the answer, all of us shared one thing: We were witness to history.
Record voter turnouts. Dramatic shifts in voter demographics. A populace engaged like never before in recent memory. And a black man elected president.
I was at an election results party at the home of close and long-time friends of ours. They are lifelong Republicans who had voted Democrat this time around. They are also old enough to remember the struggles of the civil rights movement. One of the most interesting conversations we had last night was about the idea that some white voters might say they would vote for a black man and then not be able to do it when they were in the privacy of their voting booth. All of the guests gathered there (besides us) were in their same age group and shared this opinion.
But Chad and I both agreed that this seemed unlikely. We aren't naive, but we didn't believe people would get to the voting booth and have a sudden change of heart based solely on skin color.
Our friends remarked that we are part of a different generation. We are post-civil rights movement, part of the generation that brought rap into the mainstream and has grown up in a much more multi-cultural world than our parents.
That's true. We grew up watching Sesame Street and Fat Albert, the Cosby Show and Different Strokes. We listened to Run DMC, Bobby Brown and Michael Jackson. We looked up to Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. We wanted to be Will Smith and Whitney Houston (before she hooked up with Bobby Brown!).
It's almost impossible for us to imagine the struggles the generations before us faced. Yes, we've learned about them, talked about them. But we haven't lived them. At least for me, it's hard for my imagination to stretch so far that I can imagine what it was like when people were treated differently based on one criteria over which they had no choice or control.
The more I thought about it the more I realized how proud and thrilled I am that my daughters will grow up not remembering a world without a black man as president. I can't wait to tell my grandchildren stories they will barely believe about how exciting it was when this man was elected. How, even though we had come a long way, we had not yet leaped across this important hurdle. But most of all, I will be proud to tell them how we, as a country, made our voices heard. How we voted for a man who inspired us, who showed remarkable calm in the face of almost unbearable uncertainty about the economy, the environment and the middle east, who was a father, a son, a husband and a human being. How we chose the best man for the job and the color of his skin was totally beside the point.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Ta-ta-ta-tah!
Transcript from last night:
Lauren: Mama! I have to go poopie! (Runs to bathroom holding her fanny with one hand.)
2Job mama: Okay, let's go! Do you want me to come with you?
Lauren: No! Go away, mama! Close the door! (gives me a signal like she's one of The Supremes and plunks down on the potty.)
A minute or so passes....I go back to the kitchen. Lauren comes running out, her skirt tucked into her Dora underpants.
Lauren: Mama, mama, come on!
2JobMama: Okay, here I come...
We get to the bathroom door....
Lauren: Wait mama!
2JobMama: Okay
Lauren: Close your eyes!
2JobMama: Okay, they're closed.
She leads me into the bathroom.
Lauren: Close your eyes! Say "ta-ta-ta-tah!"
2JobMama: Ta-ta-ta-tah
Lauren: Open!
She lifts the lid of her potty.
Lauren: Ta-ta-ta-taaahhhh!!
Lauren: Mama! I have to go poopie! (Runs to bathroom holding her fanny with one hand.)
2Job mama: Okay, let's go! Do you want me to come with you?
Lauren: No! Go away, mama! Close the door! (gives me a signal like she's one of The Supremes and plunks down on the potty.)
A minute or so passes....I go back to the kitchen. Lauren comes running out, her skirt tucked into her Dora underpants.
Lauren: Mama, mama, come on!
2JobMama: Okay, here I come...
We get to the bathroom door....
Lauren: Wait mama!
2JobMama: Okay
Lauren: Close your eyes!
2JobMama: Okay, they're closed.
She leads me into the bathroom.
Lauren: Close your eyes! Say "ta-ta-ta-tah!"
2JobMama: Ta-ta-ta-tah
Lauren: Open!
She lifts the lid of her potty.
Lauren: Ta-ta-ta-taaahhhh!!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
I love green! Maybe.
It all started with these great cleaning cloths I found. I've been trying to cut down on my use of paper towels, because at the height of my paper towelishness I was going through a roll a week. Maybe even a roll and an eighth. I mean, what's not to love about paper towels? They're absorbent, you can use them wet or dry, they're right there on the counter and - this is the real key - you can just throw them away. This throwing away thing is a huge benefit when you have to pull things out of dog's butts.
But I felt bad about all the waste. And I started thinking that maybe I didn't need three whole paper towels to kill a spider the size of a pencil eraser.
I haven't actually tried these new cloths yet, but I'm embarking on (yes, I know) another experiment. Can I live without paper towels?
It's one small step in a quest to live a greener life. I'll let you know how it goes.
Friday, October 10, 2008
My secret weapons.
Behind every successful working mom are a few secret weapons. Her go-to sources, tips and tricks that keep the home/work/family operation moving, while keeping major operational disasters to a minimum. My own personal system definitely has some kinks. And some days I travel or don't feel like doing much more than vegging on the couch after the kids go to bed, so things temporarily get a little off keel. But there's nothing I love more than a system for doing things, so I thought I'd share a few of my favorites with y'all.
My#1 secret weapon is FlyLady. She inspires me to have a good attitude, keep things simple and not get overwhelmed by trying to do all and be all. She sells the most excellent calendar I have ever owned. Also, a subscription is completely FREE.
Another of my favorite secrets is the Six O'Clock Scramble. I get great recipes that are fast and easy to make. You can search by ingredients, create your own recipe box and also print out a grocery list based on the recipes you choose. The woman behind it all, Aviva Goldfarb, will actually answer email personally (which I know from my own experience), and she has a nice little blog attached to the site now, too. This one isn't free but it's pretty darn inexpensive and a great value for the money.
The newest addition to my personal weapons cache is the House Fairy. The House Fairy helps kids keep their rooms neat. Really. You can watch a couple of videos on the site before you subscribe (at an incredibly low price). The first time I showed the videos to the girls they could not get up to their rooms fast enough to do what the House Fairy said. (She is Santa's sister, by the way.)
When I need to get a grip on life, to step back and have some perspective, or just be completely enthralled by the human experience I check out PostSecret. This is a Web site started by a guy who asked people to send in their secrets – anonymously – on a postcard. It's turned into a series of books, a MySpace community, and one of the most moving things online, in my opinion. The secrets that are sent in are moving, funny, sometimes disturbing and always compelling. It makes you realize that we are more alike than we think and that it's okay to think and feel the things we do. I wonder what his mailman thinks?
If you have any great secret weapons to share please do. As the song goes, "I get by with a little help from my friends."
I promise none of these people have paid me to promote their businesses in any way. These are just a few sites I've discovered over the years that I come back to time and again.
My#1 secret weapon is FlyLady. She inspires me to have a good attitude, keep things simple and not get overwhelmed by trying to do all and be all. She sells the most excellent calendar I have ever owned. Also, a subscription is completely FREE.
Another of my favorite secrets is the Six O'Clock Scramble. I get great recipes that are fast and easy to make. You can search by ingredients, create your own recipe box and also print out a grocery list based on the recipes you choose. The woman behind it all, Aviva Goldfarb, will actually answer email personally (which I know from my own experience), and she has a nice little blog attached to the site now, too. This one isn't free but it's pretty darn inexpensive and a great value for the money.
The newest addition to my personal weapons cache is the House Fairy. The House Fairy helps kids keep their rooms neat. Really. You can watch a couple of videos on the site before you subscribe (at an incredibly low price). The first time I showed the videos to the girls they could not get up to their rooms fast enough to do what the House Fairy said. (She is Santa's sister, by the way.)
When I need to get a grip on life, to step back and have some perspective, or just be completely enthralled by the human experience I check out PostSecret. This is a Web site started by a guy who asked people to send in their secrets – anonymously – on a postcard. It's turned into a series of books, a MySpace community, and one of the most moving things online, in my opinion. The secrets that are sent in are moving, funny, sometimes disturbing and always compelling. It makes you realize that we are more alike than we think and that it's okay to think and feel the things we do. I wonder what his mailman thinks?
If you have any great secret weapons to share please do. As the song goes, "I get by with a little help from my friends."
I promise none of these people have paid me to promote their businesses in any way. These are just a few sites I've discovered over the years that I come back to time and again.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Gratitude and grossitude.
The first 24 hours of my experiment have been remarkable. First off, I got two completely unexpected and wonderful letters from good friends telling me that they were glad I'm in their life. Thanks to both of you - you never know if you've made an impact in someone's life and it's overwhelmingly nice to hear that you have.
Secondly, saying thank you has made me feel good. I know... that's not exactly a revelation, especially if you like Oprah and self-help books. But it has. And I've realized that one of the most important people to say thank you to is my husband. Like any relationship, it's easy to notice the little things that annoy you and not always so easy to focus on the little things that make your life easier. Taking the time to actually mention the good little things makes the others kind of disappear.
And now for a little grossitude.
Last night I let my dog in to eat his dinner and noticed that he had some...ahem.... poop hanging from his butt. Luckily I had some rubber gloves nearby from a wood staining project. Turns out, I think he ate a dryer sheet. You can probably put together the rest. Seriously, I almost puked.
Secondly, saying thank you has made me feel good. I know... that's not exactly a revelation, especially if you like Oprah and self-help books. But it has. And I've realized that one of the most important people to say thank you to is my husband. Like any relationship, it's easy to notice the little things that annoy you and not always so easy to focus on the little things that make your life easier. Taking the time to actually mention the good little things makes the others kind of disappear.
And now for a little grossitude.
Last night I let my dog in to eat his dinner and noticed that he had some...ahem.... poop hanging from his butt. Luckily I had some rubber gloves nearby from a wood staining project. Turns out, I think he ate a dryer sheet. You can probably put together the rest. Seriously, I almost puked.
Friday, October 3, 2008
The Gratitude Experiment
Earlier this week a coworker of my sister's suffered the worst possible loss I can imagine. He and his wife lost their 6 month old son to shaken baby syndrome at the hands of the babysitter.
As a parent you can't even allow your brain to begin to comprehend the loss of a child. You can't imagine anything worse. Yet, for this couple, it did get worse. They'd been on my mind a lot as events had unfolded prior to the baby's death, and time and time again I've thought how lucky I am to have happy, healthy children. To just have them here. With me. When my sister called to tell me that the baby had died and how, I cried. Then I went straight to my computer and sent an email to my daughters' baby sitter to thank her for the loving care she gave them for nearly 6 years.
Miss Penny moved to Oregon earlier this year. Her move was the right thing for her, but it was the loss of a family member for us. Finding childcare is hard enough. Finding childcare from a person who genuinely falls in love with your children, makes tater tot casserole for their birthday party, takes it upon herself to keep your baby's eczema from itching her like crazy, gives you endless advice that makes you feel like you actually know what you're doing, and still finds the time to sell Body Shop is nothing short of a miracle.
So I wrote Miss Penny a thank-you note, something I probably should have done long ago. A couple of hours later she called me and we mourned together the loss of that couple's baby. We got caught up on our childrens' lives, our jobs. We reconnected and, at least for me, it gave me something to smile about.
All of this got me to thinking about gratitude. What it really is and what it can do for us. Oprah is a big proponent of keeping a gratitude journal, a little notebook where we write down the things we are grateful and appreciative of. I've tried this and, frankly, felt a little silly. But I like the idea. I believe positive thinking is a powerful force and right now we could all use a little bit more of it. So I've decided to conduct what I'm calling The Gratitude Experiment.
Here's how it works:
1. Each day I am going to say thank you - sincerely! - to three people.
This could be the woman at Froehlich's who knows just how much butter I like on my bagel and takes time to put it on right after it comes out of the toaster, so it melts perfectly and I don't have to do it myself. It could be my husband, who stopped to get milk on the way home so that I didn't have to drag two kids into the grocery store and back out. The point is to thank someone for something that may be a small act of kindness (or a really large one), but makes a big difference for you. To look them in the eye and say, "Thank you so much. I really appreciate that."
2. Twice a month I am going to write to someone who has done something thank-worthy. They didn't necessarily have to do it for me, but that list is pretty long so I think I'll start there. Miss Penny was a big one. But there are many other people who have helped me in ways big and small. I know from experience that getting a thank- you note makes you feel good. But writing it also makes you feel good.
Here's what I want to find out:
1. What happens to your own psyche when you take time to say thank you?
2. What happens to your relationships?
3. How do people respond when they are thanked and why?
4. How can this attitude of gratitude be spread around my family, my town, the world?
And I want you to help me find these things out. I want you to join me in The Gratitude Experiment. It doesn't take a lot of time or money. Just a little effort that I suspect will reap very big rewards both intangibly and tangibly. You can send an e-mail, write a letter, make a phone call - whatever works for you.
I also want you to share what happens. Tell me (and everyone else) what people said back to you and how it made you feel to say thank you. Join me in a mission to populate the world with positive thinking. Resist feeling dorky and just do it. You'll be glad you did.
And thank you so much for reading. It makes me feel good to know that you're out there.
As a parent you can't even allow your brain to begin to comprehend the loss of a child. You can't imagine anything worse. Yet, for this couple, it did get worse. They'd been on my mind a lot as events had unfolded prior to the baby's death, and time and time again I've thought how lucky I am to have happy, healthy children. To just have them here. With me. When my sister called to tell me that the baby had died and how, I cried. Then I went straight to my computer and sent an email to my daughters' baby sitter to thank her for the loving care she gave them for nearly 6 years.
Miss Penny moved to Oregon earlier this year. Her move was the right thing for her, but it was the loss of a family member for us. Finding childcare is hard enough. Finding childcare from a person who genuinely falls in love with your children, makes tater tot casserole for their birthday party, takes it upon herself to keep your baby's eczema from itching her like crazy, gives you endless advice that makes you feel like you actually know what you're doing, and still finds the time to sell Body Shop is nothing short of a miracle.
So I wrote Miss Penny a thank-you note, something I probably should have done long ago. A couple of hours later she called me and we mourned together the loss of that couple's baby. We got caught up on our childrens' lives, our jobs. We reconnected and, at least for me, it gave me something to smile about.
All of this got me to thinking about gratitude. What it really is and what it can do for us. Oprah is a big proponent of keeping a gratitude journal, a little notebook where we write down the things we are grateful and appreciative of. I've tried this and, frankly, felt a little silly. But I like the idea. I believe positive thinking is a powerful force and right now we could all use a little bit more of it. So I've decided to conduct what I'm calling The Gratitude Experiment.
Here's how it works:
1. Each day I am going to say thank you - sincerely! - to three people.
This could be the woman at Froehlich's who knows just how much butter I like on my bagel and takes time to put it on right after it comes out of the toaster, so it melts perfectly and I don't have to do it myself. It could be my husband, who stopped to get milk on the way home so that I didn't have to drag two kids into the grocery store and back out. The point is to thank someone for something that may be a small act of kindness (or a really large one), but makes a big difference for you. To look them in the eye and say, "Thank you so much. I really appreciate that."
2. Twice a month I am going to write to someone who has done something thank-worthy. They didn't necessarily have to do it for me, but that list is pretty long so I think I'll start there. Miss Penny was a big one. But there are many other people who have helped me in ways big and small. I know from experience that getting a thank- you note makes you feel good. But writing it also makes you feel good.
Here's what I want to find out:
1. What happens to your own psyche when you take time to say thank you?
2. What happens to your relationships?
3. How do people respond when they are thanked and why?
4. How can this attitude of gratitude be spread around my family, my town, the world?
And I want you to help me find these things out. I want you to join me in The Gratitude Experiment. It doesn't take a lot of time or money. Just a little effort that I suspect will reap very big rewards both intangibly and tangibly. You can send an e-mail, write a letter, make a phone call - whatever works for you.
I also want you to share what happens. Tell me (and everyone else) what people said back to you and how it made you feel to say thank you. Join me in a mission to populate the world with positive thinking. Resist feeling dorky and just do it. You'll be glad you did.
And thank you so much for reading. It makes me feel good to know that you're out there.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
I love a fresh start!
Okay, I have been lax beyond belief in keeping up with my posts. I doubt all three of you are suffering without updates on my life, but now that a fresh school year is upon us I feel like it's time for a fresh start to blogging. It's a somewhat cathartic exercise to write. But given my innate slacker nature, hectic work schedule over the summer and my general tendency to procrastinate (is that the same or different than being a slacker?), I haven't gotten around to doing it. The funny thing is that there have been countless times I've thought to myself: "self, this would be great for the blog!" It's just getting around to writing it down that's been holding things up.
But a new school year is a new start. I always loved that first page of a new notebook. I'd imagine all the things I'd write in it and run my hand across the perfectly smooth page with anticipation. Part of the fun was never knowing exactly what you would write. And that's part of the fun here. I intended my blog to be about life as a working mom. But the truth is that my brain jumps around way too much to focus on just that topic, so you lucky few readers will be getting treated to more randomness than I originally intended. I hope you are also more entertained. Because that's what good writing does. It entertains and it allows us to see ourselves in someone else, and then we feel connected. Getting connected is good for the soul.
I'm aiming for once a week. Wish me luck!
But a new school year is a new start. I always loved that first page of a new notebook. I'd imagine all the things I'd write in it and run my hand across the perfectly smooth page with anticipation. Part of the fun was never knowing exactly what you would write. And that's part of the fun here. I intended my blog to be about life as a working mom. But the truth is that my brain jumps around way too much to focus on just that topic, so you lucky few readers will be getting treated to more randomness than I originally intended. I hope you are also more entertained. Because that's what good writing does. It entertains and it allows us to see ourselves in someone else, and then we feel connected. Getting connected is good for the soul.
I'm aiming for once a week. Wish me luck!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
And now, for some deep thoughts.....
I've been really busy lately. And traveling a lot, which is both exhilarating and awful all at once. Countless times I've thought to myself that I needed to write about something or other in my blog so that the 3 of you who are reading it can stay up-to-date on my innermost thoughts. Obviously, though, you've survived without a regular update from me.
I can't remember everything I wanted to write about, but here, in no particular order, are a few things that have been on my mind as of late.
1. If someone asks you if you'd like to have your upper lip waxed at the same time as your eyebrows you should seriously consider saying yes.
This happened to me recently. Just there for an innocent eyebrow wax (that was about two years overdue), and Rhonda says, "Do you want me to do your lip, too?" I thought I had heard incorrectly and I must have made a face because she leaned over conspiratorialy and said, "all the girls here do it." As if that makes me feel better about A) possibly having a shadow on my upper lip or B) having coated in hot wax and ripped off.
I said yes because I have, in fact, noticed the faintest blush of a mustache, but only when I'm looking in one of those magnifying mirrors. I don't think anyone looks at me that closely, but I figured I might as well be safe.
It didn't hurt as bad as I thought. I'm also not sure I needed it, but I do notice that my make-up goes on a little more smoothly there. So maybe I should just be glad that someone brought it up, no?
2) Don't have aforementioned waxing done the same day you're going out to dinner with friends.
You can get away with the eyebrow part because it could just be pink eyeshadow. But the pink lip? The one that's still a wee bit sticky from wax? Not a good look.
3) Would it really be that weird to have Alice from the Brady Bunch living with you?
I am lucky enough to have a cleaning lady. She comes twice a month and that is my favorite day - when I get home and the floors are absolutely crumb-free and there are vacuum marks in the carpet in my room. I wish I could levitate from the bedroom door to my bathroom so as not to disturb the lovely seascape of carpet.
I would be even luckier if she came and did this every day and then left a delicious home-cooked dinner on the table for us.
Then cleaned it up and did the laundry.
Then magically disappeared into a closet where she stayed preserved, yet frozen and silent, until we left the next morning and she started all over again.
4) Finally, a makeover show where you could actually afford the clothes!
During one of the 978 snow days we've had this winter I watched an Oprah show where they were doing "affordable makeovers." It was something about not being a "schlumpadinka", Oprah's word for people who dress badly and don't make much effort to look put-together.
The great part was that they were taking the women shopping at Kohl's, The Gap, Sears and JC Penney. Seriously, I love a makeover show and this was the first time I've ever seen one that anyone could actually relate to. I mean, who can buy $350 pants?
The best tip from that show? The Brooks Brothers No-Iron fitted white shirt. A fantastic shirt. I tried to buy one, but the Brooks Brothers at the Philadelphia airport was out of my size. And here's another tip: get the one with the red ribbon on it. It has a better collar that will hold its shape well after washing.
The show also had a list of 10 things to have in your wardrobe so that you can always put together a stylish, classic look. It's a great list. Get it at www.oprah.com
5) The best beauty tip I've ever tried is kind of weird.
I've read many times that using white eyeliner on the inside of your lower lid will make your eyes look brighter/make you look more awake/attract the man of your dreams who just happens to be George Clooney....
I finally tried it.
It works.
Proving, at least to me, that all those beauty tips in InStyle must have been tried by someone and really do work.
6) When you have to travel a lot, don't forget to have sex with your husband.
Not that you would. Forget, I mean. But you might want to really make a point of doing so. That's all I'm saying.
7) Robins = spring
I saw three supremely fat ones on a tree outside the girls' window yesterday. And I can hear birds singing in the morning, even though there are about 18 inches of snow in the yard. It has to be a good sign.
I can't remember everything I wanted to write about, but here, in no particular order, are a few things that have been on my mind as of late.
1. If someone asks you if you'd like to have your upper lip waxed at the same time as your eyebrows you should seriously consider saying yes.
This happened to me recently. Just there for an innocent eyebrow wax (that was about two years overdue), and Rhonda says, "Do you want me to do your lip, too?" I thought I had heard incorrectly and I must have made a face because she leaned over conspiratorialy and said, "all the girls here do it." As if that makes me feel better about A) possibly having a shadow on my upper lip or B) having coated in hot wax and ripped off.
I said yes because I have, in fact, noticed the faintest blush of a mustache, but only when I'm looking in one of those magnifying mirrors. I don't think anyone looks at me that closely, but I figured I might as well be safe.
It didn't hurt as bad as I thought. I'm also not sure I needed it, but I do notice that my make-up goes on a little more smoothly there. So maybe I should just be glad that someone brought it up, no?
2) Don't have aforementioned waxing done the same day you're going out to dinner with friends.
You can get away with the eyebrow part because it could just be pink eyeshadow. But the pink lip? The one that's still a wee bit sticky from wax? Not a good look.
3) Would it really be that weird to have Alice from the Brady Bunch living with you?
I am lucky enough to have a cleaning lady. She comes twice a month and that is my favorite day - when I get home and the floors are absolutely crumb-free and there are vacuum marks in the carpet in my room. I wish I could levitate from the bedroom door to my bathroom so as not to disturb the lovely seascape of carpet.
I would be even luckier if she came and did this every day and then left a delicious home-cooked dinner on the table for us.
Then cleaned it up and did the laundry.
Then magically disappeared into a closet where she stayed preserved, yet frozen and silent, until we left the next morning and she started all over again.
4) Finally, a makeover show where you could actually afford the clothes!
During one of the 978 snow days we've had this winter I watched an Oprah show where they were doing "affordable makeovers." It was something about not being a "schlumpadinka", Oprah's word for people who dress badly and don't make much effort to look put-together.
The great part was that they were taking the women shopping at Kohl's, The Gap, Sears and JC Penney. Seriously, I love a makeover show and this was the first time I've ever seen one that anyone could actually relate to. I mean, who can buy $350 pants?
The best tip from that show? The Brooks Brothers No-Iron fitted white shirt. A fantastic shirt. I tried to buy one, but the Brooks Brothers at the Philadelphia airport was out of my size. And here's another tip: get the one with the red ribbon on it. It has a better collar that will hold its shape well after washing.
The show also had a list of 10 things to have in your wardrobe so that you can always put together a stylish, classic look. It's a great list. Get it at www.oprah.com
5) The best beauty tip I've ever tried is kind of weird.
I've read many times that using white eyeliner on the inside of your lower lid will make your eyes look brighter/make you look more awake/attract the man of your dreams who just happens to be George Clooney....
I finally tried it.
It works.
Proving, at least to me, that all those beauty tips in InStyle must have been tried by someone and really do work.
6) When you have to travel a lot, don't forget to have sex with your husband.
Not that you would. Forget, I mean. But you might want to really make a point of doing so. That's all I'm saying.
7) Robins = spring
I saw three supremely fat ones on a tree outside the girls' window yesterday. And I can hear birds singing in the morning, even though there are about 18 inches of snow in the yard. It has to be a good sign.
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