Once in a while a style icon strikes a chord with me and I get this urge to emulate her in my wardrobe. (And secretly harbor a desire to design for her!)
Saturday, January 26, 2013
First Lady of Style - Michelle Obama
A lot of you know I have a love affair with fashion. I think it began when I was a little girl and my mom used to make my clothes. That talented woman could whip up the cutest dress and matching purse for me out of a bag of scrap cloth. Many times she didn't use patterns. She taught me how to make clothes for my dolls. And from that I learned to design. To put the ideas in my mind into an outfit for Barbie. Let me tell you, my dolls were the best dressed in the neighborhood and the envy of my female classmates.
A younger me entertained the idea to perhaps work in the fashion arena. Maybe a fashion reporter, maybe the actual designer. I even started my college education in a retail major but soon realized my dream was going to be just that, a pipedream. I switched up and went for something practical, business administration with a minor in law. Yah. Booooring, right? Anyhoo, over the years I've kept my ear to the fashion world. I consumed beauty mags, oohed and ahhed over all the beautiful creations that came out of New York fashion week, and plopped myself in front of the tv every time there was anything on about the fashion world (documentaries, reality shows, etc.).
Once in a while a style icon strikes a chord with me and I get this urge to emulate her in my wardrobe. (And secretly harbor a desire to design for her!)
Once in a while a style icon strikes a chord with me and I get this urge to emulate her in my wardrobe. (And secretly harbor a desire to design for her!)
Thursday, January 24, 2013
It's Time For the Oscars!!
Are you ready? Did you get the chance to see all the nominated films?
Me neither.
I've never been much of a movie goer, watcher, lover. And I'm pretty picky about what I will or won't see. I usually never let the critics' opinions influence me. I am what I am, and I likes what I likes.
But mostly, I just never had much time. Between raising kids, going to school, working, etc. there just wasn't a lot of empty space in my schedule to pencil in the cinema.
This year I want things to be different. I want to experience more. I don't want to be the one standing around the proverbial water cooler at work and not knowing anything about the films being discussed. I want to participate. Join in.
So, first step. I watched the Golden Globes awards show.
Step two. I read the list of nominees for the upcoming Academy Awards.
Step three. I've googled info on the movies that piqued my interest.
And now for the biggest step of them all.....actually going to the movie theater.
Me neither.
I've never been much of a movie goer, watcher, lover. And I'm pretty picky about what I will or won't see. I usually never let the critics' opinions influence me. I am what I am, and I likes what I likes.
But mostly, I just never had much time. Between raising kids, going to school, working, etc. there just wasn't a lot of empty space in my schedule to pencil in the cinema.
This year I want things to be different. I want to experience more. I don't want to be the one standing around the proverbial water cooler at work and not knowing anything about the films being discussed. I want to participate. Join in.
So, first step. I watched the Golden Globes awards show.
Step two. I read the list of nominees for the upcoming Academy Awards.
Step three. I've googled info on the movies that piqued my interest.
And now for the biggest step of them all.....actually going to the movie theater.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
2013 Presidential Inauguration
What a beautiful day in Washington, D.C. !
I love pomp. And pageantry. I love the historical traditions of it all. From the day the inauguration is held to the oaths of office. It's one of those days when I feel my most proudest to be an American. Oh, how I wish I could have actually been there in person to experience it all firsthand, to feel the excitement in my bones.
Then again, its nice to be watching from home where I can absorb lots of background info from all the commentary by the media on every news channel. I feel like a sponge, soaking up every bit of data they throw my way. Like: which president had the shortest/longest inaugural speech; whose bible was used during the recital of the oath of office; whose ceremony was held indoors due to weather; what the first ladies wore and who designed their outfits. I need to know it all!
But most importantly, I am so proud of America for choosing a great man to be our leader. That he was chosen because of what he stands for. What he hopes to accomplish for the good of the American people. And that it has nothing to do with the color of his skin. He's an American. I'm an American. As he said so eloquently in his speech, "WE THE PEOPLE". We are all part of this nation....whatever our race, whatever our ethnicity, whatever our gender and whatever party affiliation we may have or who we voted for in the last election. We all care about this great country and want what's best for it.
Then again, its nice to be watching from home where I can absorb lots of background info from all the commentary by the media on every news channel. I feel like a sponge, soaking up every bit of data they throw my way. Like: which president had the shortest/longest inaugural speech; whose bible was used during the recital of the oath of office; whose ceremony was held indoors due to weather; what the first ladies wore and who designed their outfits. I need to know it all!
But most importantly, I am so proud of America for choosing a great man to be our leader. That he was chosen because of what he stands for. What he hopes to accomplish for the good of the American people. And that it has nothing to do with the color of his skin. He's an American. I'm an American. As he said so eloquently in his speech, "WE THE PEOPLE". We are all part of this nation....whatever our race, whatever our ethnicity, whatever our gender and whatever party affiliation we may have or who we voted for in the last election. We all care about this great country and want what's best for it.
And here we are 150 years from the term of perhaps one of our greatest presidents: Abraham Lincoln. From a time when a man of color could only dream of being free from slavery. To a time when a man of color can be elected to be the leader of the world's greatest country. And elected because of his beliefs, and not because of his race. Mr. Lincoln must surely be smiling from up above.
Most of all, I'm proud of us. We've come a long way baby!
Congratulations, Mr. President. And congratulations, my fellow Americans.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Plop..Plop..Fizz..Fizz....Oh What A Relief It is......
For my older readers, do you recall that jingle? Good old Alka Seltzer for the relief for heartburn....
This tune played round my brain tonight. It's been a while since I've felt such a sense of relief. And no, I didn't need to resort to those fizzy tablets.
So you probably may have noticed I haven't posted on the blog lately. Been a bit distracted. Enrolled in a very intense 6-week course in a really good, but demanding college. As the first day of school approached, I got really nervous and apprehensive. Then it happened....I received a summons for jury duty.
This tune played round my brain tonight. It's been a while since I've felt such a sense of relief. And no, I didn't need to resort to those fizzy tablets.
So you probably may have noticed I haven't posted on the blog lately. Been a bit distracted. Enrolled in a very intense 6-week course in a really good, but demanding college. As the first day of school approached, I got really nervous and apprehensive. Then it happened....I received a summons for jury duty.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
School After 50 - What Am I Doing Here?
Head is spinning. Hands are clammy. Heart speeding a mile a minute. Oh please don't let me start hyperventilating. Please!!
Breathe....breathe....you can do this. Don't let them see you sweat. How embarassing will that be?
I'm sitting in a chair. In a computer lab. Of a noted university. Surrounded by students young enough to be my children. Students who seem to be very confident. And most importantly, know what they're doing. Me? Not so much.
The course is only 6 weeks long. How the heck am I going to concentrate on learning the curriculum when I don't even know how to use the darn computer?
Why am I doing this to myself? Why did I think I could take college courses at my age? What was I thinking?
Not sure how this will end up. Will I have all my hair at the end of all this? Will my family be visiting me in the local mental health facility? Or god willing, will I be glad that I took the plunge and took a chance at being a middle-aged college student?
Stay tuned....I'll let you know how it all works out in 6 weeks.........
Breathe....breathe....you can do this. Don't let them see you sweat. How embarassing will that be?
I'm sitting in a chair. In a computer lab. Of a noted university. Surrounded by students young enough to be my children. Students who seem to be very confident. And most importantly, know what they're doing. Me? Not so much.
First clue I will not do so well: the computers are Apples. I'm a PC.
The course is only 6 weeks long. How the heck am I going to concentrate on learning the curriculum when I don't even know how to use the darn computer?
Why am I doing this to myself? Why did I think I could take college courses at my age? What was I thinking?
Not sure how this will end up. Will I have all my hair at the end of all this? Will my family be visiting me in the local mental health facility? Or god willing, will I be glad that I took the plunge and took a chance at being a middle-aged college student?
Stay tuned....I'll let you know how it all works out in 6 weeks.........
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Top 10 Destinations of 2012
OMG! Pinch me! Can I really be here? No..no...it can't really be happening...can it? Woo-hoo!!!!!
Yes, that was me. A blubbering, stammering idiot stumbling through the doors of the biggest mall in the United States. I truly needed to catch my breath as I stood before that behomoth of shopping centers. The big kahuna of retail. The promised land for shop-a-holics. The Mall of America. Finally! The Mall has been on my bucket list for a while now and in 2012 I finally entered the welcoming automatic doors of that midwest retail mecca.
I also was blessed to be able to visit some other great places in 2012. And as I look forward to 2013 and begin making plans on where I want to go in the new year, I thought I'd take one final look back at where I've been.
I've got pad and pen ready to make up my itinerary for 2013. So many places to go, so many things to see. And of course, I need to leave room for those spontaneous adventures, too. You just never know when the opportunity will arise to take a detour off the list.
Yes, that was me. A blubbering, stammering idiot stumbling through the doors of the biggest mall in the United States. I truly needed to catch my breath as I stood before that behomoth of shopping centers. The big kahuna of retail. The promised land for shop-a-holics. The Mall of America. Finally! The Mall has been on my bucket list for a while now and in 2012 I finally entered the welcoming automatic doors of that midwest retail mecca. I also was blessed to be able to visit some other great places in 2012. And as I look forward to 2013 and begin making plans on where I want to go in the new year, I thought I'd take one final look back at where I've been.
TOP 10 DESTINATIONS OF 2012
10. Boston, MA ("Freedom Trail", "Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market")
9. Hampton Beach, NH ("Hampton Beach Casino/Ballroom")
8. Hartford, CT ("Mark Twain House", "Bushnell Park")
7. Newport, RI ("The Breakers", "Marble House")
6. Concord, MA ("Louisa May Alcott Home")
5. Raleigh/Goldsboro, NC (Son and his family)
4. Fort Walton Beach/Destin, FL (Son and his family's new home, "Harborwalk Village")
3. Kissimmee/Orlando, FL (Son's new home, "Nickelodeon Studios/Resort", "Universal Studios")
2. Atlanta, GA ("Aquarium", "Zoo")
1. Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN ("Mall of America", "Twin Cities Marathon")
I've got pad and pen ready to make up my itinerary for 2013. So many places to go, so many things to see. And of course, I need to leave room for those spontaneous adventures, too. You just never know when the opportunity will arise to take a detour off the list.
How about you? What are your plans for 2013? Do you have your passport ready? I do! Who knows where I'll end up next? Maybe I'll see you there!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
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