Thursday, December 28, 2006
I'm one of those people that when I go eerily quiet, something is wrong. Well, for those of you actually reading, no doubt you have noticed how quiet it has been on this page lately...
There is a reason. Apart from all of the Christmas mayhem, I have had some pretty bad news. I have skin cancer. I discovered a melanoma on my left thigh. I don't know the full story yet, but it has been pretty tense around here.
So please bear with me. I still have to get around this news and get my sense of humor back in order, and then the posts will return, cross my heart.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Danish Butter Cookies
Oh how i love these little delicacies. I love how during the holidays I can snuggle in with a tin of these and a big mug of hot chocolate and heaven is not far behind.
The only downside is, they are sneaky little boogers. By the time you realize it, you have eaten half the tin of cookies. They are not long for this world once they hit my house.
What is your favorite holiday guilty pleasure?
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Of course I designed a dress for my daughter. I don't have the attention span to sew a dress big enough for an adult. Also, please keep in mind that I knew I was not designing for an adult. I would probably have chosen a different fabric for the main part of the dress on an adult. But seeing as how it was a Holiday dress for a little girl, isn't velvet quintessential?
Please tell me what you think. This was designed last year, and I have made one or two more pieces. I'll have to scan pics and post them later, but I would love your feedback on this dress in particular.
goes for a heavy $918,000 at auction
And If I had the money I would have bought it myself...
THE iconic black cocktail dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the film Breakfast at Tiffany's fetched $918,000 at auction yesterday. It went for just over six times its $137,500 estimate at Christie's auction house in London. Hepburn wore the dress for her role as Holly Golightly in the classic 1961 film. The bid, made over the telephone, is believed to be a record amount for a dress used in a film.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Oh I thank God for my time away from the South. It's not that a Southern accent makes you stupid, but a thick Southern accent can sure make you sound like you might be.
What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio. | |
The South | |
The Inland North | |
The West | |
The Northeast | |
Philadelphia | |
Boston | |
North Central | |
What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes |
Did you see the part where it said I had a good voice for TV or radio?? Priceless.
Mom- Phone- because she wears the mouthpiece on hers out every three months. I die a little inside when I see her name pop up on caller ID. Don’t get me wrong, I love my mom. I just have better things to do with a couple hours of my evening EVERY DAY than to listen to her talk about nothing in particular.
Dad- Earplugs- HA! No, seriously, my dad’s birthday is 2 days after Christmas, so we went all out and got him a radio and speakers for his jeep he is restoring. My fiancé installs car stereos and alarms, so he will install it for him (did I remember to mention that to him?). My dad has had this jeep since I was probably 10 years old. It has never had a radio in it. I always hated that Jeep, but finally it will have some sound to it. About damn time 15 years too late…
My fiancé- a Sony Playstation- Something for me to threaten to throw out the window if he doesn’t do my bidding. Threatening to deny sex stopped working a while back because he finally figured out I was usually bluffing.
My daughter- Just look at ToysRus.com and if it is pink, she probably got it. Seriously, this child is totally spoiled. The UPS man knows me by first name by now. My ex’s family is from Ireland and they have been mailing packages daily. I’m sick of wrapping. I know I have wrapped a good 50+ presents for her. And I have no clue what my grandparents have gotten her (they were the ones that Santa Claus “really” visited when we were kids)
My brother- A coffee mug that flips you a bird when you get to the bottom.
Fiance’s mother – “Cats” the Broadway Musical on DVD. She is the scary cat lady. You know, the one who has to replace her carpeting every few years because she has so many cats and they are constantly having to mark their territory in various corners in the house.
Fiance’s father- Electronic Sudoku game. I know, totally unimaginative. But other than loving Sudoku, he is a preacher. Considering I am living in sin with his only son, I didn’t think a Bible was appropriate.
Fiance’s sister- fleece pullover that is guaranteed to put static in her hair. We aren’t exactly close.
Fiance’s brother in law – a Georgia state tee shirt. He’s an Auburn fan.
Everyone else- Whatever was on sale and came in a nice, easy to wrap, square box.
Monday, December 04, 2006
My daughter Katie was born in Luxembourg. We lived there the first two years of her life. I have always said that I would teach her the traditions of Luxembourg, which is not hard for me because a lot of their traditions come from the Dutch, and I am predominantly Dutch in heritage.
"Klees'chen", in fact, is none else but St. Nicholas. Now, St. Nicholas lives in Spain, not the North Pole. I can see how St. Nicholas has it a little better than Santa. Let's see... Sunny Spain, or Arctic Wasteland North Pole. Ole, baby.
During the night of the 5th to the 6th December (his day) he and his counterpart "Hoùseker" (=Black Peter) enter the houses and bring the children presents in the guise of (originally oranges and nuts and the occasional pair of socks) toys which can range from simple Lego to complex computers. The children put out plates on which the legendary figures bestow their gifts. But already days beforehand they put their shoes on the windowsill or in front of their bedroom door, so that "Klees'chen" -who goes his rounds to check on children to see whether they deserve any presents- can drop chocolates and other sweets into them. Hoùseker is dressed in coarse black clothes and he carries sticks with which he is said to chastise naughty children. You can also hear frustrated mothers in the shops close to the end of November threatening their kids that if they don't behave, Black Peter will come and kidnap them and take them away. A little too dark for me, but I actually saw a guy dressed up as Black Peter, and he had some fake legs sticking out of his bag (I sure hope they were fake) and it made the whole thing a little funnier.
As for Christmas itself, you can see that with "Klees'chen" around, the title of Father Christmas has a lot of rivalry. In Luxembourg, being predominantly devout Catholic, the baby Christ actually brings the christmas gifts overnight instead of Santa, although the custom differs from family to family. In the early evening on Christmas Eve the whole family gathers around the Christmas tree for snacks and talks (A Christmas tree is almost a Must in Luxembourg). At midnight many a family goes to Midnight Mass, always a welcome excuse for children to stay up long. The presents which lie under the tree are opened either before or after church.
Since they have their own language in Luxembourg (Lëtzebuergesch), they say "Schéi Chrëschtdeeg" for "Merry Christmas", which transliterates into 'have nice christmas-days'.
Traditional foods over the Christmas period are "Stollen", a kind of fruit loaf with rum as cake and "Bûche de Noël" as icecream (both are in the shape of a log). On Christmas Day the traditional dinner often features Black pudding or civet of hare, or venison, or something equally nasty, but it may also consist of turkey like in the States (The main thing seems to be that there must be millions of calories).
During the weeks before Christmas, markets flourish all over the country selling dried flower arrangements, Christmas trees, candles, etc. Usually the Christmas Market in Luxembourg City is held from December 7 to 24 on the "Place d'Armes" in the pedestrian centre of the city. From wooden huts that are set up on the tree-lined square, all sorts of christmassy goods are on sale: locally produced Arts and Crafts (candles, Christmas tree decorations, cribs, etc), and of course plenty of Food and Drink to warm you from the inside. The latter include the obligatory mulled wines, as well as the stronger stuff (e.g. schnaps, known as "Drëpp"). Foods on sale include various soups (with or without Mettwurscht [a local sausage speciality]), pancakes, Thüringer, ... , plus the unpronouncable: "Gromperekichelcher". The bandstand in the centre of the square is also in use: A whole host of local bands, fanfares, choirs, etc, are performing, bringing to life the true Christmas atmosphere.
Luxembourg has snow just about every Christmas, and this year has seen the first snows already, so bets are on that it will once again be a "White Christmas".
I am very adamant that my daughter will have these traditions taught to her because they are part of her heritage and I want her to be proud of where she came from. It is also nice for me to be able to observe traditions that are part of my own Dutch heritage.
Friday, December 01, 2006
http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/18227/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/18227/podcast/PHOENIX-AZ/KZZP-FM/snake-dontusethemouth.mp3
I seriously almost peed my pants.
(Fav. line from this clip: But you are 100% on the STUPID)
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
I was going over my budget today, as I have bought the last Christmas Present, and I was shocked to find that I have spent $2000 this year. I fell out. It's not a huge deal. I'm using all cash I had put away, so we are not talking about credit card debt---yet.
It was, admittedly my first Christmas on my own since my divorce so I had a lot of extra purchases to make. I had no Christmas decorations and no tree. My daughter and I both have allergies, so I had to get an artificial tree, and those boogers aren't cheap.
But due to my very large family I spent around $1800 on presents, and that includes the boxes of condoms I am planning to give to my Grandparents, aunts and uncles. We really don't need this family getting any bigger. I have 4 living grandparents, 26 aunts and uncles, and over 50 cousins. Lets not even get into second-cousins, great-aunts and uncles. I have packages all over my house. I'm thinking of taking a second renter's insurance policy out on my Christmas presents alone.
But- I am done. No more fighting crowds and everything I bought was bought on sale. I am very proud of myself and I give major props to all those with large families out there. Now it's time to just enjoy the holidays (and I do love the holidays) until the cake rush starts in a week or two.
I'll be making cakes pretty much non-stop until Christmas. I might post pics of some of the better ones.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
I have been listening to Ella Fitzgerald's "Wishes you a Swinging Christmas" album, and I am so in love with it. Her voice just lulls out those dulcet tones, and I feel like I'm in the middle of a glamorous black and white film wearning a scandalously luxurious mink stole and satin dress. I highly reccommend you grab a copy if you can possibly find one. It is some of the best Christmas music ever.
Favorites on this album include:
-What are you doing New Year's Eve?
-The Christmas Song
-White Christmas
I'm sorry I don't have more to post this week, but I have been shopping like a squirrel at a nut convention. Next week will be wrapping time. I like to have all of my shopping done a good 2-3 weeks before all the parties get in full swing.
I'm taking my mom to the Aflac Christmas party this year. Diamond Rio is the act playing this year, and I'm not a country music fan, nor is my fiance. My mother, however, loves it so I'm going to treat her for Christmas. Last year was Gladys Knight, and it was a pretty good show. The food is always good at the Aflac party, and I LOVE seeing what my co-workers interpret as Christmas Formal.
Last year there were misshapen tattoos on display, nipples showing through fabric, oh it was ugly! A real snarkfest, especially when my boss showed up with his wife wearing something that was surely bought at a store providing fashion for the strippers of Columbus.
This year I'm looking forward to people showing up in jeans and chaps, given the entertainment. I'm just praying we get a seat near the bar.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
-Cream cheese jalepeno corn (I have relatives fight over this stuff)
-Stuffed Chicken (I don't eat turkey)
-Green Bean Casserole
-Roasted Garlic Maches potatoes
-Black-eyed peas
-Old Fashioned Dressing (the kind so thick you can cut it into squares)
-Tiramisu (my personal favorite)
-Diabetic Friendly (and diet friendly) pineapple cake (this thing melts in your mouth)
-Sugar cookies decorated to look like little pilgrims for the kids
(I will make a pecan pie on request, but pumpkin pie is totally out for me, I can't stand the texture or smell)
Friday, November 17, 2006
I'm not making this shit up!
"The design of the underwear, separates and lifts. The fabric cup protrudes everything out in front instead of down towards the ground," said "Wonderjock" designer Sean Ashby.
"There is no padding, rings or strings," said Ashby, a co-founder of the Internet-based AussieBum firm.
Ashby said the idea for the "Wonderjock" was the result of online feedback from customers who expressed an interest in looking bigger, just like women using the "Wonderbra".
"When you go to a department store to buy underwear you usually get a grandmother serving, which is not the ideal way to get feedback," said Ashby. "Our customers give us feedback. We didn't realise that big is better."
Let this sink in a moment...
Okay we are talking about mens' penises here. And how men feel about their penis. They didn't realize big is better??? Where the hell have they been since the dawn of humankind??
And furthermore... how DARE men say that women are vain? Does this fall into the realm of vanity? Methinks so my fellow bitches.
So if you want your man to look like he is packing more than he is, run your little self to http://www.aussiebum.com and get him a pair. Personally, I'll be ordering a few pair for my boyfriend. If he wants to see me looking my best in the most uncomfortable bra imaginable, lets see how he likes his frank and 2 beans to be "lifted and separated."
Somehow I can't just help feeling women are just a little bit closer to taking back our dignity... and the world!
I got a Doris Day Christmas song in my head and some money in my pocket. Life is good.
For those of you who don't know, I run a teeny little cake business on the side and completely in my free time. For that reason, every person I have known in the last 15 years all of a sudden rekindles a friendship just before any baby shower, wedding, or anytime they need a cake.
Anyhoo, I hosted a baby shower last Monday, and here's a pic of that cake:
Oh it was a booger to make, but I was happy with it.
I think I'm going to stop making these topsy-turvy cakes. I think I had about a pound of cake scraps when I finished shaping this one. Do you know how hard it is to get rid of a pound of cake and resist just laying your face in the pile and letting your mouth finish the job for you? Let me tell you it's damn hard. At least I lost the taste for icing years ago. I really can't stand the stuff. I guess I have just been around too much of it, and even the smell of it is not that great to me.
Anyway, I got to looking at some of the cakes I have done, and I came upon my wedding cake from my first wedding... and it's wierd but that cake turned out to be very indicative of the marriage itself: I guess I'm psychic. And cynical.
I should have let the asshole fall off the cake.
I'd have been better off.
Hindsight darlings, hindsight.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
http://dis-ndat.blogspot.com/
http://janitesonthejames.blogspot.com/
Thanks for your input Ms. Place. You now hold a place near and dear to me at this blog!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
I know, no one held a gun to my head and made me eat my daughter's Halloween loot... but she doesn't like candy, and far be it for me to try and get her on the weight-gain bandwagon. I'm doing her a huge favor, and when she is older, she will see that.
Also, I have like a million cake orders for Thanksgiving. I'm going to be up to my elbows in pies, cakes, cookies, and pastries... I need all of you to be with me for support.
By Christmas I'm going to be completely out of my wardrobe if this keeps up. I keep doing home pregnancy tests because at least if I'm pregnant there will be a justifyable reason for all this weight gain... but no babies (thank god for at least one miracle)
And my well-meaning boyfriend (bless his little heart) keeps trying to force-feed me ice cream. I keep warning him that if I gain one more pound, I'm throwing everything out of our kitchen except the green beans and tuna fish. Of course he eats nothing but red meat and potatoes. He will make the occasional exception for chicken, but it has to be fried. I hate men sometimes...
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Tara Reid recently gave an interview claiming that her "botched boob job" gave her nipples looking like a pair of goose eggs. I will leave that visual to those photoshopping pros out there...
Tara had previously vehemently denied having her breasts enlarged, despite constant rumours suggesting she had boosted her bust. However, she finally admitted having her chest surgically enhanced last year. At the time, she said: "Everyone does it. I don't know why I'm the one who gets so much attention?"
Ummmm... Just one little guess... maybe it's because you show the damn things to anyone who will stand still long enough to see them?
Taking a moment out from looking at the collections, I have a tidbit of news for all of you... It seems that being the drug-addicted boyfried of a supermodel qualifies you for a clothing line...
Pete Doherty, who is Kate Moss's boyfriend and plays in some band, is going to launch a line of his very own... It might help if he learned how to dress himself first. I wonder if Kate is going to show off his "fabulous" clothes for him...
I wonder just how out of it both of them had to be to think this was a good idea... Don't worry, as soon as the collection is out you will have my opinion...
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
I must say I really love this dress. It is just so graceful and elegant. The treatment at the hem is unexpected, but in a fun and playful way. I personally would have pared it with a ribbon sandal rather than the white shoes, but I really haven't been too impressed with the styling of this show thus far in general.
That being said, the styling on this look is on the money. This look just exudes elegance and class. The length of the sleves and hem are spot on, the proportions are just lovely, and the neckline makes the look so interesting to me. The belt is accessorized to perfection, and the shoes really compliment the feel of this look.
I love this look from the waist up. That shirt is so gorgeous. The detail in the weaving, and how delicate it looks just thrills me. That being said, I would like the skirt, but the stringy cut-out area is just too hoochie. If there was a panel of sheer fabric perhaps it would soften it a bit, but as it is, I feel it's a bit of a stretch to pair the two pieces. And where did the clunky shoes come from??? Confused.
This look I love. It is the epitome of style, grace and elegance. I love to see a feminine twist on masculine pieces, and this has taken a 3 piece suit to a totally feminine ensemble. I think there are evening gowns out that have less femininity than this ensemble, and I'm loving the balance of just the right amount of draping and flowiness mixed with just the right amount of tailoring. The styling on this look is just spot-on as well.
I don't like the proportions here. Also, the fabric choices make me feel like we moved from the couch to the drapes. I get a feel of Vincent in the top (which isn't a good thing) and a feeling of Angela in the bottom (which also is not a good thing) and the bow just adds more volume to the look, which it was not in need of to begin with.
This look grows more on me the more I look at it and I attribute that to good styling. The shorts are perfection, the proportions on them are just right. The jacket confused me at first, but again the styling just about saves it. It's a so-so in my book.
Again, was Zac in kahoots with Scarlett O'Hara for thsi collection? Using drapery or upholstery fabric may fly in the Fall or Winter if you are ever so careful with it, but not the Spring... it's too heavy. The style of the dress would work for Spring, but the fabric choice kills this one for me.
I love this dress. It is so fun to me. While it does have a tutu feel to it, the top is so elegant, I feel it gravitates the look enough to make it work.
I was confused when I first saw this look. The jacket just seems so big and long for the proportion to be right. The skirt keeps pulling your eye up and the jacket keeps pulling your eye down, and it just doesn't work for me. The shirt was either bloused out too much, or it was just a poor fit on the model. Either way not one of my favorites. The shoes are not doing it for me either.
Monday, October 30, 2006
My last name starts with a W, so I love it when people start at the end of the alphabet, so we will start with Mr. Zac Posen
I likenot love this. I have a belly so high waisted pants and I do not get along. Even on a model. I just don't like how the pants almost touch the bottom of her boobs. Totally personal opinion. But I do love how the silver and white work together. I love the scarf-look of the shirt, and with a few minor alterations to this look I would SO rock it!
Alright, I love the color... hate the shoes though. Also, the skirt needs to be a bit fuller. the form fitting through the upper part of the skirt doesn't fit in with the loose flowy feel of the rest of the dress, and adds on an unnecessary 5 lbs... I love the bodice though. Again, with only a few alterations, IMHO it would be totally amazing.
Love the pants, hate the sleeves. I do actually get what he was trying here. The severe crispness of the tailored pants against the flowy volume of the sleeves. The top is the total opposite of the pants. However, I feel there is a valid reason you only see sleves like that on clown costumes nowadays, and I just won't go there, moving on...
I absolutely love the proportions here(for daywear, which this is not). The sleves are the perfect length and contain just the right amount of detail(again for daywear). I would have gone with a less shiny fabric for this look just because it is (because of it's length) geared more towards daywear in my opinion. The "tie" detail was an unused opportunity to splash in a smidgen of color, but this ain't BK. However, given that this piece was meant to be evening wear (the back plunges, eliminating daywear) the hem needs to be longer and the sleeves need to be either longer or shorter.
More later in my next post...
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Tonight is the big finale for Project Runway 3. I have to admit it, I'm totally addicted to that show, along with Top Chef. Top Chef also has it's Season 2 Premiere tonight, which is the only thing that makes it bearable to say goodbye to Project Runway for a while.
That being said, I'm SO glad they changed hostesses this year. Last year the hostess was SO monotonous, I really had a hard time imagining how she got to be the host of a show (other than the fact she was Billy Joel's wife). Miss Padma is so gorgeous, and she can cook!! Much better Bravo...
Also, I will be looking forward to the return of the Mighty Tom Colicchio (who so reminds me of Steve's (from the Jerry Springer show) smarter and more stylish brother...
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
By Heather LeszczewiczOMC Reporter
To read about Clarissa Anderson (the model originally paired with Angela, but modelled for Michael at Fashion Week) click here
My cable tv better get right before tomorrow night. It has been out since last Wednesday night (of course mere minutes before part 1 of the PR3 Finale) and after much screaming yelling and whining, the cable men finally made it out to my house on Sunday, only to tell me that it was due to an amp or something that exploded Wednesday and that there was nothing they could do. Gee, thanks... But Wednesday night is the finale finale of PR3, not to mention the premiere of Top Chef Season 2... so the cable company better get my cable fixed before Wednesday night or all I will have to keep me occupied will be sitting on hold to enquire yet again when it should be fixed... sigh...