she has such a nice face

The two new Fall make up trends that I really like are featured in both Carolina Herrera's Fall 2009 Ready to Weat and Chanel's Resort 2010 runway shows.

Carolina Herrera's models had a very youthful, fresh faced look, they were a little heavy handed with the rosy cheeks but I am sure that stage levels of make up had to be applied for runway photography reasons. Chanel's Resort Collection make up, while beautifully done, is a bit 1930's flapper vampire but that is what I like about it.  With slight adjustments a normal woman can wear both looks and not look overly trendy or "done".

Wintour Wunderkind

I am not big on going to the movies (for all the previously listed reasons) and have taken to waiting for dvd releases to keep up to date.  There are a few movies that I really want to see and would in theory be willing to go to a theater to see, although they will probably be Netflix'd.  

"Julie & Julia" has been out for a bit and at this point I will probably wait until it can be viewed on my bedroom tv.  Blogging and food, my interest is obvious.

A must see is "The September Issue" which covers all that must happen at American Vogue for the traditionally largest issue of the year, let alone, in Vogue history.  It's the real life "Devil Wears Prada", just to see some of the conversations between Anna Wintour, Andre Leon Talley and Grace Coddington has to be entertaining and enlightning all at once. (Note: Andre Leon Talley plays tennis with a Louis Vitton towl, cooler and racket sleeve.  That alone is well worth the price of admission.)

Another movie that looks interesting in both concept and artistry is "9".  It would be too wordy to describe the complete concept, it's better to see the trailer.  I will say that it is co-produced by Tim Burton and the character 9's voice is provided by Elijah Wood.  I don't think that with everything combined it could be bad.

Adult Movies

I don't really like the idea of going to the movies as a date.   You are basically sitting quietly for two hours with your companion, then go home.  Why not just stay home and wait for Netflix?  The environment would certainly be more comfortable and if I cooked, the food would be yummilicious.  My husband has a different point of view, he loves going to the movies and thinks they are great for dates. Our differing points of view and taste in movies keep us from going to the movies together.

The Archlight is a place that I have been, but haven't fully appreciated all that they have to offer.  The Hollywood location has the Cinerama Dome, which opened in 1963 and was one of the few theaters in the world capable of exhibiting 3-projector cinerama format film. It has a circular auditorium featuring a huge screen and seats for almost 1,000.  That alone makes the movie going experience different than the norm. 

There are also "21+ Screenings" that only allow those over the age of 21 to attend and have the option to drink beer and wine.  That isn't as much of a draw for me as their cafe's menu selections are.  Of course they serve popcorn, but how about with real butter or their own freshly made caramel corn? Or hummus, gourmet cheese & fruit plate, a variety of salads, sandwiches and pastas, fish & chips and the list goes on (and includes creme brulee and carrot cake).

One more drawing point (for me) is there are weekly screenings of films that are listed on AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies list.  "His Girl Friday", "Suddenly Last Summer", "To Catch A Thief" & " Tootsie" are all on the current screening schedule. (At both the Hollywood and Sherman Oaks locations)

If I can't go to the ocean, then the ocean must come to me.

Just in case I wake up and don't feel like going anywhere the lobster can come to me.  I can order all of this for the bargain price $159 (for two people) from MaineLobsterDirect.com:

1 Lobster per person (Avg. weight 1.35 lbs.) 
8 oz. of Clam Chowder or Lobster Bisque each
1 lb. Clams, Mussels or 1/4 lb. Shrimp Cocktail each
3 Maine Red Potatoes or 1 Ear of Fresh Corn each
4 oz. Jewell Island Cheesecake each & Lemon, Butter, Sea Salt
1 Set Shell Cracker/Seafood forks for every 2 people
Bibs, Wetnaps, Gift Message, Cooking Directory 
All Packed in a Blue Enamel Lobster Pot with Seaweed

The convenience of eating this while in my pjs and the possibility of an afternoon nap - priceless.

(note: husband hint)

red as a lobster

Today was the start of the AYSO season and my son started off with two games today.  The first game was at 8:00 but we were at the park by 7:30 to help set up the field.  (These are all a.m. hours- Do you feel my sleepy grumpiness?)  The worst thing about early games is obvious, they are early.  The last thing I want to do is wake up early on a weekend.  The second game was at noon, did I mention that we live in the desert outside of Los Angeles, we are closer to the sun than my skin would like.  I was prepared for the heat and the sun.  I had my beach umbrella and sunscreen on, but it is September and "the winds" have begun. My umbrella was flipped inside out and ripped it from its wire skeleton.  So I sat, basking or baking in the sun for the next hour.  By the time I got home I had a very oddly shaped sunburn below my neck.  I am a yellow and red sight to behold.  

I figure the place to go tomorrow might be The Long Beach Lobster Festival.  The tickets are $15 for adults and children under 12 are free.  There are a wide variety of jazz and blues performances scheduled, as well as, lobster cooked by a Bristol Farms chef. (Yum!) There are other food vendors so I won't be forced to buy my children lobster dinners that they won't eat.  More lobster and butter for me....(Hopefully, I won't be confused with the lobsters.  A turtleneck might not be such a bad idea.)

prairie pier companion

1. prairie drop waist dress (perfect to relax, eat & drink in)

2. wedge heels (they have all the height of regular heels without the incline - or stumbling)

3. flat sandals (just in case walking in heels becomes too painful and I start to hobble)

california dreamin'

I am a simple person with simple pleasures, as you know, food, sleep and fun are at the top of my essential pleasures list.  I also have an odd list of things to do before I die, it includes shearing a sheep (it's so cool how the wool comes off in strips) and surfing, among other things.  (Surfing looks like so much fun I could work past my dislike of the beach.)

Next weekend, Santa Monica's Chamber of Commerce is hosting "A Taste of Santa Monica"; a $65 ticket includes unlimited food (from a wide variety of restaurants) and drinks (wine and water included) and live music, all on the Santa Monica Pier.

One of the event sponsors is the "Le Merigot Hotel" whose beds look more than adequate for a great nap.  Currently they have "The Surfing Safari" package which includes "Superior Room" accommodations, a full session Swedish massage (that sounds painful - I think I will be generous and offer this to my husband) and (the best part) a two hour surfing lesson.  (AWESOME!)

Food - check!     Sleep - check! 
Surfing - check!     Fun Time - check!

sit & spin

I have a friend who is my exercise hero, if only I could live through him and receive all the health benefits as a result of his effort. If only. But I can't. It isn't that I haven't ever exercised before. I just don't like it. It makes me hot and I hate to sweat. In any other situation if I started to sweat, have an increase in my heart rate and became overheated I would be taken to the hospital, but I digress. So a couple of weeks ago I started going to spin class after work with my exercise hero/friend. As far as exercise goes, spinning is the closest that I will ever come to liking anything intensely active.

The women that attend the classes have really great bodies and vary greatly in age. They are slender but don't have that gaunt, hungry antelope look that yoga girls have. They are toned but aren't bulky or overly "cut". The classes are around an hour long and although challenging I can usually distract myself from most of the discomfort, power through the class and feel good afterward.

The place that we go to is "The Burn" in Burbank. They have about 18 bikes at each class (reservations can be made online), the bikes are set on 3 different levels (think amphitheater), they keep the room dark (which somehow makes it seem cooler) and have very entertaining and motivated instructors. The other thing that I like about "The Burn" is if I sit on a bike in the back row (right in front of the black curtains) and wear an all black outfit I can't see myself in the mirror at the front of the class. I am just a floating head. Awesome. If I couldn't be the "Nearly Invisible Woman" I would compare myself to all the spinning sprites on the other bikes for the whole class. I have also discovered that a spin class cannot be complete without a music selection from Justin Timberlake or Madonna. (I think this is a rule for all group cardio classes everywhere.) The only thing that I wasn't expecting and that was different from my previous spin experience is that from time to time they turn on red lights while we spin, which makes me feel like a rotisserie chicken at Costco. But, all in all a great time. (I missed all last week but it is my goal to go twice a week. It is even a never-ending, recurring event on my computer calendar program. If only life wouldn't get in the way.)

A few spinning benefits:

Burn 500 + calories per class
Tones Muscles
Body Shaping
Lose Inches
Decrease Body Fat
Stress Relief
Year Round Activity
Increase Energy
Improve Overall Strength
Increase Cardio Endurance

1. cycling shirt
2. cycloskort (helps to cover the "cookies", in every sense of the word)
3. cycling shoe

downward facing dork

So a couple of weeks ago (at work) my friend's neck started to hurt. Since I am the WebMD and a Know-It-All I decided that my vast yoga experience (from a few yoga classes taken at my local 24 Hour Fitness) needed to be drawn upon and I should show her a few poses. I got up and we had a two person yoga class going in my office. Little did I know (or think) that people would walk past the open door and the sight of me with my butt in the air would cause anyone to stop and stare. Well, they did. Even better I was wearing a pair of spanx (that peeked out between my shirt and waistband)to make it even more of a spectacle. Then an audience member asked in a very loud voice that echoed down the hallway, "What are you wearing? A leotard?". Next time I will forward a link to this website and perform the pose "quietly sitting dork" at my desk.

www.yogasite.com

"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."

I have many silly (and/or slightly flawed) theories. One of my favorites is that men are either "Scarface" or "Godfather" men. My very thorough research is done almost completely using the MTV Cribs television show. There is always a Scarface or Godfather poster in a "crib" that has a male inhabitant. Generally speaking the cool, hip and rowdy men like Scarface and will feel the need to perform the inevitable "Say hello to my little friend" reenactment. Scarface is not my deal.

I am all there for The Godfather; the costumes, the acting, they even talk about cooking marinara sauce, everything about it is beautifully done. (I could really go without all the violence. I know it is the wrong movie for that request.) The Godfather men are a little more mature, cool (in the chill sort of way) and relaxed. (This isn't to say that I am any of these things.) Obviously, my research has been very limited and I have only confirmed my finding with my most reliable colleague. Me.

I know it isn't appropriate but I started thinking about "The Godfather" when I was reviewing the menu at Mozza. Everything looks so delicious and Mario Batali is all the way authentic Italian with his cooking. Not that I have ever tasted it but as you know a fluffy chef is a chef that I can trust, because they enjoy food. When Mario talks about food or his cooking you can see the joy in his eyes. I think it is only right that I help make him happy and eat some of his delicious creations.

Here are a few menu items:

Burrata with bacon, marinated escarole & caramelized shallots
Linguine with clams, pancetta & spicy Fresno chiles
Ricotta Gnudi with chantrelles
Crisp Duck al Mattone with pear mostarda & Brussels sprouts
Pan Roasted Halibut con pepe verde

charm school drop out

I am not in a bad mood, more melancholy and reflective. I am not grumpy or mad, just simmering. When I feel like this my mood definitely gets reflected in what I wear or want to wear. Lots of black is usually what I reach for. Usually with sharp, high heeled shoes.

This outfit would have to be purchased for a melancholy mood after I win the lottery. (Or after both of my children have completed school) D&G, Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen are not part of my budget or sold at Target.

1.vivienne westwood mean school girl dress
2. d & g belt
3. thigh high boots that could be used as a weapon

iFancy with a little bit of iFresh

"Fancy Fresh" is how I would describe this outfit. I like the formal jacket with the casual converse tennies.

1. fancy tweed jacket


2. fresh pink hoodie


3. fancy bracelet


4. fresh grey Jack Purcell tennis shoes

iFun

1. usb turntable
Best Buy is supposed to start selling albums. (Albums will be a completely new invention for children under the age of 16. A couple of weeks ago I tried to explain cassette tapes to my daughter. She looked at me like I could only listen to tapes in Fred Flinstone's car.) The cool thing about this turntable is it will capture all the charm that is only on albums and transfer the audio to your computer. Jazz is supposed to sound better on a record player. My favorite albums I played over and over again when I was younger were "Imagine" by John Lennon and "Every Rose has a Thorn" by Poison. Luckily I have the best of the two saved at my mother's house, you can guess which album I am referring to.


2. iPod Mixer
Although I don't like to dance I like music. All types of music. Country. Classical. Rap. R & B. Pop. My mood totally changes depending upon what music I am listening to. When I know I have to do something horrible to do, JayZ gets played really loud in my car. Maybe I could make a bi-polar creation mixing JayZ and Andrea Bocelli. Just call me Mrs. Mix-A-Lot .


3. iPhone camera lenses
These nifty little gadgets are for the iPhone's camera. The wide lense is my favorite, but there are other fun ones. Kaleidoscope. Hearts. Starburst. Sparkle. All for $8 each. I don't think that's bad at all.


4. iPhone Skin
I am one of three people in the known world that doesn't own an iPhone. I am not making any sort of statement against technology. I really want one but I refuse to pay an early termination fee on my cell phone contract. Only a couple more months to go and the iPhone and I will become one. I have a list of apps that I "need" and I will be off and running with this cute owl iPhone skin.