In the same vein of someone tasting or smelling something disgusting, and then insisting on sharing it, "Oh my gosh, this is so gross. Try it!" I must share with you some of the most horrifying music I've discovered this Holiday season in a retail environment.
Huckapoo's Wild Christmas is perhaps the most obnoxious with it's infectious, bubbly beat. Listen to the lyrics and you'll raise an eye brow or two.
As if Fountains of Wayne weren't already horrible enough, they had to go and record Alien For Christmas.
Guster, I used to kind of like you, even though I never knew it was you. If I hadn't been over you since Keep It Together, I certainly would be now. On Pasty! On Pesky! I do however still think your drummer is super cool.
And there is a version of the perennial annoyance, I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus by some girl that sounds like Ashlee Simpson trying to be Gwen Stefani that is superbly awful, but I can't find it anywhere online - thank your lucky stars.
There have been some pluses, I have learned all of the words to the Christmas Waltz, a song I didn't know existed until this year, and I am kind of digging on a couple of tracks from Christmas Remixed like Bing Crosby's version of Jingle Bells and Kay Starr's I've got my Love to Keep me Warm. Mostly I remain completely jealous of the kids at the Benefit counter with their cool - non holiday music, like Prince, Delaney & Bonnie and Lady Gaga.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
M.I.A.
Remember when there was a girl named Molly, who would regularly post on this blog, and then all of a sudden, with no discussion or warning disappeared for two months? Well she's back. And she hopes to post some interesting and amusing things for you, to make your wait and all of your comments about her absence vindicated.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Pins and Needles.
I have been waiting for two movies to come out for months. They still haven't, but we're getting closer every day, and I'm excited.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Five Things Friday
The Five Things I am loving this week:
1. Still dreaming of loukoumades. And while I have no plans to make these little fried doughnuts and drench them with honey and cinnamon, I will think about them.
2. Ruemag.com. I followed a link from latest Design Star winner Emily Henderson's blog to the new online mag, and found some great inspiration and eye candy. My favorite spread was the Texas house belonging to Jamie and Larry Oliver. So much contrast between black and white, and then all of the natural wood elements around. Color me in love.
3. This week, on the Zoe Report, Mrs. Zoe showcased some awesomely beautiful headbands from Eddera, they are ethereal and Grecian, and so, so pretty.
4. Must remember this:
5. Oh, what's the word? Yikes! Yikes is the word.
This is sort of like the time I found out there was a Air Guitar World Championship. Only this time, I don't want to go, or find out any more about the European Beard and Moustache Championship.
1. Still dreaming of loukoumades. And while I have no plans to make these little fried doughnuts and drench them with honey and cinnamon, I will think about them.
2. Ruemag.com. I followed a link from latest Design Star winner Emily Henderson's blog to the new online mag, and found some great inspiration and eye candy. My favorite spread was the Texas house belonging to Jamie and Larry Oliver. So much contrast between black and white, and then all of the natural wood elements around. Color me in love.
5. Oh, what's the word? Yikes! Yikes is the word.
This is sort of like the time I found out there was a Air Guitar World Championship. Only this time, I don't want to go, or find out any more about the European Beard and Moustache Championship.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Gardening.
Every time I think of gardening and the out of doors, I dream of having my fingers in rich soil, walking barefoot on lush green grass, and picking flowers. I love the idea of having neatly trimmed boxwoods lining walkways, fresh herbs five paces away from the kitchen and tomatoes straight from the vine.
Sadly, every time I actually go outside to do a little work, I sneeze, I itch, I get scratched, I inevitably touch a snail and then have that gross slime that takes so long to wash off on my skin. This year, less than 1/5 of our tomatoes actually got ripe - something that NEVER happens, and we have more zucchini than anyone would know what to do with. I hate to do gardening and landscaping.
So, what have we been doing all week? Why, gardening of course. We have ripped out long hated plants -- juniper bush, I'm talking to you. And have cleared places and dug holes for new things to bloom. And all of that looks like this:
A pile taking up half of our driveway and four feet tall in the middle. There is more in the landscape debris bin chilling at the curb, waiting to be taken away. And tomorrow when the tree guys come to trim some of our big trees in the back yard, they'll take away this big mess.
Sadly, every time I actually go outside to do a little work, I sneeze, I itch, I get scratched, I inevitably touch a snail and then have that gross slime that takes so long to wash off on my skin. This year, less than 1/5 of our tomatoes actually got ripe - something that NEVER happens, and we have more zucchini than anyone would know what to do with. I hate to do gardening and landscaping.
So, what have we been doing all week? Why, gardening of course. We have ripped out long hated plants -- juniper bush, I'm talking to you. And have cleared places and dug holes for new things to bloom. And all of that looks like this:
Monday, October 4, 2010
So, last Friday...
Two things happened.
1. The gang went to Greek Fest at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in NE Portland, and enjoyed the delicious offerings there. Oh loukoumades why are you sooo good? There I spotted a sign. A sign I'd seen before at the Greek Festival, but this time, I clumsily caught it on my iPhone. A sign I'd NEVER see at my church:
I love it!
2. We then went to the Crystal Ballroom for 80s night and had a blast and a half. Shara made eye-contact with a guy as he was walking by. He then said something, but was looking at me, and I was so confused because I didn't see his interaction with Shara. "What just happened?" Becky without missing a beat said, "he was hitting on you, you need to go chase him down." While that M.O. wreaks of desperation, it's not far from the truth. So, next time...next time.
1. The gang went to Greek Fest at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in NE Portland, and enjoyed the delicious offerings there. Oh loukoumades why are you sooo good? There I spotted a sign. A sign I'd seen before at the Greek Festival, but this time, I clumsily caught it on my iPhone. A sign I'd NEVER see at my church:
2. We then went to the Crystal Ballroom for 80s night and had a blast and a half. Shara made eye-contact with a guy as he was walking by. He then said something, but was looking at me, and I was so confused because I didn't see his interaction with Shara. "What just happened?" Becky without missing a beat said, "he was hitting on you, you need to go chase him down." While that M.O. wreaks of desperation, it's not far from the truth. So, next time...next time.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
The Relief Society broadcast.*
*An all too rare venting blog post.
Last Saturday was the Relief Society broadcast for my church. For the occasion, the women of my stake got together and all watched it together. When Mormons get together, there is always food and because many hands make light work, assignments went out to all of the different wards of our stake to make a recipe each.
I volunteered to make whatever it was our ward would be assigned. I received an email riddled with grammatical and typographical errors along with several patronizing comments for a recipe that sounded super gross. With instructions to make 200-225 of them, I called in some reinforcements, i.e. two other members of my ward's relief society presidency and my friend Adrianna.
My disdain of the task stemmed from the email. I tried more than twice to actually read the recipe all the way through before I actually could stomach it. I immediately took a dislike to the person who sent me the email. She touted this recipe as "super simple" several times (for the super simple singles, no doubt,) and then asked in the email, and three times in subsequent emails if I understood the task in front of me.(I don't like the implication of baking something makes it too complicated for us to handle, nor do I lack the skill set to temper white chocolate.)
My rebellious nature ruled my decision making process. Just to branch out from the condescension, and because I've never been able to rebel properly, I opted for boysenberry jam instead of raspberry, almond milk instead of cow's milk, and shortbread cookies instead of 'nilla wafers. And the greatest rebellion of all - WE BAKED THE CRUST- HA! TAKE THAT, WOMAN WHO EMAILED ME!
The morning of the broadcast, we all - Rachel, Rachel, Adrianna, Joanna and I - gathered in Joanna's kitchen to make a super rich and artery clogging dessert. How do I know it was artery clogging? After we made the crust of the first batch I had to sop up the extra butter with three paper towels. We then cut the butter down by 3/4 and made successful crusts from thence forth.
When we came to the broadcast and dropped our little "treats" in the kitchen, the author of the email was pointed out to me. I recognized her from an art class I took earlier this year, when my mom told me that she was the author of a popular blog. A little googling on my iPhone during one of the hymns confirmed my suspicions. She is the author of a popular blog about all things domestic.
The sad news was, these little rich treats were the first treats to be gobbled up. These little gross things that none of us actually wanted to ingest after we made them were gone in lightening speed. So, before you even have to ask, here is the recipe, as it was given to me, for you to take what you will from it.**
**Be warned: she accidentally swears in this email, because she doesn't know how to spell fridge.***
***Don't believe me that frig is a word I wouldn't use in polite company? Well it is.
You will be making White Chocolate Raspberry Bars. This is a great recipe and super easy - no baking recquired. It is made in a 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 pan. They are very rich so we cut them small - 1 inch x 1.5 inches. We need 200-225 bars so if my math is right we will bet about 40 squares from an 8 x 8. So if you could make 5 batches that will give us plenty. Also if you could have them pre-cut when you bring them that will help a lot. Or if you want to do it in a 9 x 13 just double recipe for each batch and only make 3 batches You should be able to get 78 bars from one pan. Hope this is making sense. They will be a bit thicker in the 9 x 13 but that is o.k. if you don't have access to enough 8 x 8 pans.
I found when I made the recipe that they are easier to cut if you let them sit at room temperature for a while. You don't want them to get too soft but if you cut them straight out of the frig the chocolate layer on top cracks and falls apart. I used raspberry jam that I bought at Trader Joe's - the TJ variety. It is good jam.
The vanilla chips I bought from the bulk food bins at Winco. You do not want to use white chocolate chips and they don't melt well. The vanilla chips work great.
If you have any questions about the recipe please let me know.
If you could deliver the food to the kitchen at the Stake Center about 20 minutes before the broadcast that would be great. We will have platters there to put them on.
White Chocolate Raspberry Bars
Recipe for an 8 x 8
1/2 C butter
1 C vanilla chips
2 C vanilla wafer cookie crumbs
2 T softened butter
2 T milk
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 C powdered sugar
3/4 C raspberry jam
1/2 C finely chopped pecans
Lightly grease a 8 or 9 inch square pan. In medium saucepan, combine 1/2 C butter and 1/4 cup of the chips. Cook over low heat until melted, stirring constantly. Remove from heat
Stir in cookie crumbs until well mixed. Press mixture evenly in greased pan.
In small sauce pan, melt remaining 3/4 c of chips over low heat, stirring constantly.
In small bowl, combine 2 Tbsp butter, milk and vanilla; mix well. Gradually beat in melted chips and powdered sugar until smooth. Spread jam over crumb mixture gently. Spread chip mixture over jam (the jam may bleed into this a bit but try not to get it to mixed in) Sprinkle with nuts.
Refrigerate until set and cut into bars. Serve bars at room temperature.
Last Saturday was the Relief Society broadcast for my church. For the occasion, the women of my stake got together and all watched it together. When Mormons get together, there is always food and because many hands make light work, assignments went out to all of the different wards of our stake to make a recipe each.
I volunteered to make whatever it was our ward would be assigned. I received an email riddled with grammatical and typographical errors along with several patronizing comments for a recipe that sounded super gross. With instructions to make 200-225 of them, I called in some reinforcements, i.e. two other members of my ward's relief society presidency and my friend Adrianna.
My disdain of the task stemmed from the email. I tried more than twice to actually read the recipe all the way through before I actually could stomach it. I immediately took a dislike to the person who sent me the email. She touted this recipe as "super simple" several times (for the super simple singles, no doubt,) and then asked in the email, and three times in subsequent emails if I understood the task in front of me.(I don't like the implication of baking something makes it too complicated for us to handle, nor do I lack the skill set to temper white chocolate.)
My rebellious nature ruled my decision making process. Just to branch out from the condescension, and because I've never been able to rebel properly, I opted for boysenberry jam instead of raspberry, almond milk instead of cow's milk, and shortbread cookies instead of 'nilla wafers. And the greatest rebellion of all - WE BAKED THE CRUST- HA! TAKE THAT, WOMAN WHO EMAILED ME!
The morning of the broadcast, we all - Rachel, Rachel, Adrianna, Joanna and I - gathered in Joanna's kitchen to make a super rich and artery clogging dessert. How do I know it was artery clogging? After we made the crust of the first batch I had to sop up the extra butter with three paper towels. We then cut the butter down by 3/4 and made successful crusts from thence forth.
When we came to the broadcast and dropped our little "treats" in the kitchen, the author of the email was pointed out to me. I recognized her from an art class I took earlier this year, when my mom told me that she was the author of a popular blog. A little googling on my iPhone during one of the hymns confirmed my suspicions. She is the author of a popular blog about all things domestic.
The sad news was, these little rich treats were the first treats to be gobbled up. These little gross things that none of us actually wanted to ingest after we made them were gone in lightening speed. So, before you even have to ask, here is the recipe, as it was given to me, for you to take what you will from it.**
**Be warned: she accidentally swears in this email, because she doesn't know how to spell fridge.***
***Don't believe me that frig is a word I wouldn't use in polite company? Well it is.
You will be making White Chocolate Raspberry Bars. This is a great recipe and super easy - no baking recquired. It is made in a 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 pan. They are very rich so we cut them small - 1 inch x 1.5 inches. We need 200-225 bars so if my math is right we will bet about 40 squares from an 8 x 8. So if you could make 5 batches that will give us plenty. Also if you could have them pre-cut when you bring them that will help a lot. Or if you want to do it in a 9 x 13 just double recipe for each batch and only make 3 batches You should be able to get 78 bars from one pan. Hope this is making sense. They will be a bit thicker in the 9 x 13 but that is o.k. if you don't have access to enough 8 x 8 pans.
I found when I made the recipe that they are easier to cut if you let them sit at room temperature for a while. You don't want them to get too soft but if you cut them straight out of the frig the chocolate layer on top cracks and falls apart. I used raspberry jam that I bought at Trader Joe's - the TJ variety. It is good jam.
The vanilla chips I bought from the bulk food bins at Winco. You do not want to use white chocolate chips and they don't melt well. The vanilla chips work great.
If you have any questions about the recipe please let me know.
If you could deliver the food to the kitchen at the Stake Center about 20 minutes before the broadcast that would be great. We will have platters there to put them on.
White Chocolate Raspberry Bars
Recipe for an 8 x 8
1/2 C butter
1 C vanilla chips
2 C vanilla wafer cookie crumbs
2 T softened butter
2 T milk
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 C powdered sugar
3/4 C raspberry jam
1/2 C finely chopped pecans
Lightly grease a 8 or 9 inch square pan. In medium saucepan, combine 1/2 C butter and 1/4 cup of the chips. Cook over low heat until melted, stirring constantly. Remove from heat
Stir in cookie crumbs until well mixed. Press mixture evenly in greased pan.
In small sauce pan, melt remaining 3/4 c of chips over low heat, stirring constantly.
In small bowl, combine 2 Tbsp butter, milk and vanilla; mix well. Gradually beat in melted chips and powdered sugar until smooth. Spread jam over crumb mixture gently. Spread chip mixture over jam (the jam may bleed into this a bit but try not to get it to mixed in) Sprinkle with nuts.
Refrigerate until set and cut into bars. Serve bars at room temperature.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Five Things Friday
1. Victoria Beckham's Spring RTW look 23
I love white clothes. I love white dresses especially. Posh's dresses have always been covetable, but this one is the absolute living end!
2. Speaking of dresses... I am so in love with one of Michelle Williams' latest sartorial choices - this Jason Wu gown. As if there was room for more jealousy from myself toward Ms. Williams. Shoot.
3. Look Around You
When Rachel first told me about "Look Around you" I didn't understand the premise or appeal. After watching everything I could find on youtube, I am OBSESSED! Two of my favorites:
I LOVE that 8 and 9 are "CLASSIFIED". So much funny!
4. Jonah Lehrer's blog moved to wired.com a while ago, and since then I have been introduced to so many crazy things, not excluding the super crazy soala.
5. The Netflix app. Have you tried it? Natalie told me about it. I can stream movies to my phone! OUTRAGEOUS!
2. Speaking of dresses... I am so in love with one of Michelle Williams' latest sartorial choices - this Jason Wu gown. As if there was room for more jealousy from myself toward Ms. Williams. Shoot.
 | |
| image stolen from InStyle |
When Rachel first told me about "Look Around you" I didn't understand the premise or appeal. After watching everything I could find on youtube, I am OBSESSED! Two of my favorites:
I LOVE that 8 and 9 are "CLASSIFIED". So much funny!
4. Jonah Lehrer's blog moved to wired.com a while ago, and since then I have been introduced to so many crazy things, not excluding the super crazy soala.
5. The Netflix app. Have you tried it? Natalie told me about it. I can stream movies to my phone! OUTRAGEOUS!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Hair Crush(es)
Also tucked away in that file are several pictures of Grace Kelly, Ashley Olsen, and the Audrey Tautou advert for Chanel no. 5.
Did you see the funny "how to" article from the NYT on creating a modern beehive? What's that phrase about the bigger the hair the closer to God? I'm not sure how true that is, but I sure do love big hair! Could you please pass me the What a Tease, backcomb in a bottle?
Sunday, September 5, 2010
OHMYGOODNESS
Anyone remember when Tobias Funke tried to go to the Gothic Castle for GOB's magic act and ended up at a leather bar with an inappropriate name that rhymes Gothic Castle? "Take me to the magic." Whilst perusing the latest issue of Rolling Stone, I came across probably the funniest image I have seen in quite some time. I LOVE Kurt! And something tells me that this leather bar doesn't have Tobias' barbershop quartet, The Whip and Snaps, because Kurt would ROCK that.
The only slight sadness is that the gang I usually watch Glee with is in Mexico soaking up some rays for a whole week, so I can't shriek with delight with them right this minute, so instead, I will share it you with you fine people.
By the way, don't you just love love love his ensemble??
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Hands on a Hardbody.
I will forever be indebted to a republican named Bill for telling me to watch Hands on a Hard Body. It's a documentary about a yearly contest in Texas where people stand around with their hands on a Nissan Hardbody, trying to outlast and outwit everyone else.
I was looking through my notes from a few of my film classes, I found a list of my favorite quotes from perhaps the most enjoyable doc ever. (Grey Gardens and Spellbound are also contenders.*)
-"It's almost a mystical experience. It transcends the truck."
-"She started laughing a while ago and said it was the Holy Ghost. That was pretty cool."
-"It's done gone numb."
-I have a 20 ton air conditioning unit in my house, it can go to -12 degrees, you can actually freeze to death in our house."
I just LOVE that movie and the social actors in it who are so charming and delightful. I so wish it was on DVD. If you ever get the opportunity to watch it, jump at that chance.
*Let's ignore the fact that in school I wrote a paper on the exploitation of social actors in documentary films citing Spellbound, Hands on a Hard Body and Trekkies as examples.
I was looking through my notes from a few of my film classes, I found a list of my favorite quotes from perhaps the most enjoyable doc ever. (Grey Gardens and Spellbound are also contenders.*)
-"It's almost a mystical experience. It transcends the truck."
-"She started laughing a while ago and said it was the Holy Ghost. That was pretty cool."
-"It's done gone numb."
-I have a 20 ton air conditioning unit in my house, it can go to -12 degrees, you can actually freeze to death in our house."
I just LOVE that movie and the social actors in it who are so charming and delightful. I so wish it was on DVD. If you ever get the opportunity to watch it, jump at that chance.
*Let's ignore the fact that in school I wrote a paper on the exploitation of social actors in documentary films citing Spellbound, Hands on a Hard Body and Trekkies as examples.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Into the Coven
Yesterday I went to EverydayMusic on the East Side. I was looking for something fairly specific in their tiny classical music section. The process of looking and finding was hindered by my being constantly distracted, if not made entirely uncomfortable, by the music they were blasting throughout the store. I simply had to use Shazam to see what I was listening to, so as to put a name to what I was hating.
Shazam told me that it was "Into the Coven" by Blood Ceremony. Which made sense since the lyrics were saying things like "witches are awesome."*
Doing a little Googling led me to their MySpace page where this is their profile pic:
Yes, I agree, that does look like a velvet cloak. And a flute. A flute in a scary** rock*** band?? Their little tag line is, "Do What Your Love Tells You To Do." They love flutes and cloaks and they are doing that! How inspiring.
I've since been trying to figure out who would listen to this music, aside from the crazies that work at the store, and am pretty much at a loss. But on the plus side, I know what record to buy my mother for Christmas now.****
*Not an actual lyric.
** Maybe more off-putting and disturbing than scary.
***They describe themselves as "Rock/Progressive" I would disagree on both counts, but that's really not my affair.
****This is a joke. *****
*****No it's not. tee hee hee.
Shazam told me that it was "Into the Coven" by Blood Ceremony. Which made sense since the lyrics were saying things like "witches are awesome."*
Doing a little Googling led me to their MySpace page where this is their profile pic:
Yes, I agree, that does look like a velvet cloak. And a flute. A flute in a scary** rock*** band?? Their little tag line is, "Do What Your Love Tells You To Do." They love flutes and cloaks and they are doing that! How inspiring.
I've since been trying to figure out who would listen to this music, aside from the crazies that work at the store, and am pretty much at a loss. But on the plus side, I know what record to buy my mother for Christmas now.****
*Not an actual lyric.
** Maybe more off-putting and disturbing than scary.
***They describe themselves as "Rock/Progressive" I would disagree on both counts, but that's really not my affair.
****This is a joke. *****
*****No it's not. tee hee hee.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Catalog Living
Sometimes I find something that is so good, so wonderful that I wonder how I had lived a fulfilling* existence before that special something had entered my life. This time, that special something is the genius blog, Catalog Living. A blog featuring images from the delightful catalogs of places like Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn, and a caption explaining how a fictional family is living in the space or vignette.
I was directed there by the Sundance Channel blog SUNfiltered, and immediately giggled, and giggled some more. Some examples:
So, so good.
*Jury's unfortunately still out on that one.
I was directed there by the Sundance Channel blog SUNfiltered, and immediately giggled, and giggled some more. Some examples:
*Jury's unfortunately still out on that one.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Before & After: shutters
We happen to have a small truckload of shutters in our attic, just waiting to be utilized, to replace the beige and grey metal mini-blinds that came with the house -- EEK! The problem is, these shutters are a little past their prime, and not the right sizes. With a little creativity, a table saw, biscuits, glue, a clamp and some paint and primer, one of our windows is transformed from grey non-functioning metal to charming painted shutters.
Before: the shutters were a little loose, very dirty and aged.
After: they have a new lease on life, and a whole new sense of purpose and functionality. And thanks to the hinge I attached, it opens up all the way, letting light stream in.
One project 100% complete - now to finish up the rest of them.
Before: the shutters were a little loose, very dirty and aged.
After: they have a new lease on life, and a whole new sense of purpose and functionality. And thanks to the hinge I attached, it opens up all the way, letting light stream in.
One project 100% complete - now to finish up the rest of them.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Have You Heard?
Months and months ago, Ali emailed me "Home" by Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, and I promptly fell in love. Last week, Shara and I were talking about Mumford and Sons and our conversation came around to this song, and specifically, this video of this amazing song:
We were confused by the guy from Ima Robot's "be healed" hold on his little gal pal, and very puzzled by the feather head piece/ flock of seagulls hair on the trumpeter. And by puzzled and confused, I mean thoroughly entertained.
We were confused by the guy from Ima Robot's "be healed" hold on his little gal pal, and very puzzled by the feather head piece/ flock of seagulls hair on the trumpeter. And by puzzled and confused, I mean thoroughly entertained.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Shame on you, Vogue.
My September issue had been sitting in its plastic wrapping waiting patiently to be opened for a few days. When I finally did tear it open and sit down for a quick flip through and I got to page 668 in the article about Charlotte Casiraghi, I found an appalling mistake.
In writing about Charlotte's grandparent's - Princess Grace and Prince Ranier - wedding, Mario Testino wrote that "The groom wore a sword, the bride a high-necked froth of lace made by Edith Head, who costumed her movies" which would be a fine, if not flowery sentence if it were true. Grace Kelly's dress was designed by Helen Rose, who also costumed her movies. Edith Head was at Paramount and Grace had a seven year contract at MGM, but was frequently lent out to other studios. As part of MGM's deal to let Grace break her contract and leave Hollywood for Monaco, they insisted that Helen Rose, MGM's Edith Head, would make both her civil and religious ceremony wedding dresses.
(I was able to see this dress at the Victoria & Albert this spring and it is beyond gorgeous in real life.)
My main problem with this sort of blatant error in Vogue is, you call yourself reputable, this would have been remedied simple fact checking. And, what about the times when a subject is less well known to me and you have this sort of error. I might believe you, and then be absolutely wrong myself. Wow, Ms. Wintour, Mr. Testino, I expected more.
In writing about Charlotte's grandparent's - Princess Grace and Prince Ranier - wedding, Mario Testino wrote that "The groom wore a sword, the bride a high-necked froth of lace made by Edith Head, who costumed her movies" which would be a fine, if not flowery sentence if it were true. Grace Kelly's dress was designed by Helen Rose, who also costumed her movies. Edith Head was at Paramount and Grace had a seven year contract at MGM, but was frequently lent out to other studios. As part of MGM's deal to let Grace break her contract and leave Hollywood for Monaco, they insisted that Helen Rose, MGM's Edith Head, would make both her civil and religious ceremony wedding dresses.
(I was able to see this dress at the Victoria & Albert this spring and it is beyond gorgeous in real life.)
My main problem with this sort of blatant error in Vogue is, you call yourself reputable, this would have been remedied simple fact checking. And, what about the times when a subject is less well known to me and you have this sort of error. I might believe you, and then be absolutely wrong myself. Wow, Ms. Wintour, Mr. Testino, I expected more.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Why Mollister?
Today at church, whilst discussing blogs with long lost friend Whitney, I told her that my blog url is mollister etc. And like at least 16 other people before her, she said, "like molester"? No, actually, Whitney, I'm not a molester, and I am not legally required to stay away from schools or playgrounds. It's just based on a nickname a few friends gave me. Other options could have been 'Moll Factory" "Molls" "miss moll" or "hey you, girl" -- Mollister is just the name I chose many, many moons ago.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Five Things Friday
It's time for another five!
1. This cover of Life Magazine that I saw in Sweet Dee's apartment on Always Sunny. Kind of thinking I need it on my wall.
2. Kelly Ripa's Fashion Finder - Now I never have to suffer through any of Regis to learn what the delightful Kelly is wearing - that's a good thing!
3. Levis Pioneer Sessions - My friend Deanna emailed me about these free and delightful songs months ago - I promptly downloaded a couple, and then have subsequently downloaded more and more, and they add songs all of the time. How I love Raphael Saadiq's version of "It's A Shame" - he's come a long way from Tony! Toni! Tone!
4. Sticks and Bricks - I LOVE THIS BLOG! I emailed Liz aka Carpenter Ant a while ago about how she learned to wield a router and hone her craft so magically and she was as nice and informative as I could have hoped for. Such a sweet and talented lady. I am constantly inspired by the transformative power she harnesses on pieces that need a lot of love. i.e. this before and after:
and this dresser with beautiful routed flowers:
5. Hermes' j'aime mon carre - because you know I do!! I love that Hermes is going for the younger crowd, and gunning hard to make scarves popular again. I'm there, Hermes, I'm there (with my Kelly in tow!)
Friday, August 13, 2010
Words With Friends
Do you have this app? Play with me - my screenname is Mollister! And I promise, I won't ever score 143 points on one word again.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Five Things Friday
1. What do you do when you find out that one of your FAVORITE periodicals has a blog you didn't know about? Squeal like a little girl. If you haven't checked out InsideOut, perhaps you'd better. It's kind of amazing. It's through photo spreads in this 'zine that I became obsessed with Jonathan Adler & Simon Doonan's Florida home (January/February 2010) and the totally awesome Sibella Court (May/June 2008)!
3. The Living Sisters' Love to Live - OBSESSED! Especially with the tracks 'Hold Back' and 'Double Knots' - but there is nothing I don't love about their slick harmonies cheeky lyrics, and old school yet fresh vibe.
4. words with friends - Do you have this app? Please play with me, my screen name is Mollister!!!
5. L. Kersh's horological collages - crazy. funky. cool.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Have You Heard?
Monday, July 26, 2010
A Country Mile.
This morning we were able to go to a friend's farm and pick cherries from their orchard. It was a lot of fun, and so beautiful - amazing views of Mt. Ranier and Mt. St. Helens, it kind of blew my mind. With some black cherries and some royal annes, I am excited about making homemade maraschino cherries, and other cherry delights.
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Saturday, July 24, 2010
The decisions are made:
After going to EVERY tile and granite store in the Portland metropolitan area, this is the decision, emperador marron marble, cream cabinets, cream subway tile backsplash and those gorgeous wood floors. Our little kitchen is getting a facelift.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Five Things Friday!
Mike Myer's old school hilarity.
2.This picture from Bardot in Blue:
3. someecards!! I just love those cards - but this one in particular:
5. Wednesday's Democracy Now was all about hidden chemicals and substances in cosmetics and the lack of regulation in the US. Pretty interesting. They told us to go to Cosmetics Database to check out the hidden, and unregulated dangers in our favorite products.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Magnificent Obsession
Last week I watched a movie called "The Magnificent Obsession" starring Rock Hudson and the intolerable Aunt Polly - er, Jane Wyman. Let's just say this movie does not hold up after 55 years. Netflix told me I would like it four stars worth; I liked it one star worth. But, the delight of the movie comes in making fun of it a la MST3K. For example, after Jane Wyman goes blind because she was hit by a car (?) she tells her nurse that she "won't see" Rock Hudson. Come on writers. Really? She's blind. Of course she won't see him. But I digress. I remembered that in the July Vogue, there is a gorgeous, gorgeous spread called, "Magnificent Obsession" with Ewan McGregor and Natalia Vodianova - who is just about my favorite model these days, and it is styled by the amazing Grace Coddington, whom I've long admired, but adore to pieces after seeing The September Issue.
It is about an idyllic 1950s couple with impeccable taste. The wife meets a James Dean lookalike and next thing we know, she's emptying the contents of the safe deposit box into her Birkin.
And, I kind of love that Vogue doesn't mention the Birkin in their product credits, I suppose the assume everyone who reads Vogue knows Hermes. The whole lush story is at vogue.com.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
The World Cup
Watching the final match of the World Cup today was totally delightful, despite the constant hum of the vuvuzelas. I was thinking back to when Analee and I were driving to Soweto, less than a month before the first game of the World Cup, and they were doing construction everywhere to try to get ready. The airport wasn't ready. The roads were terrible. And everywhere you looked there were giant plastic footballs ready to be installed, just hanging out on the ground.
Then I started thinking about Zambia, when my friend Heather's good friend Thelma took us on a "tour" of the compound she lived near, and that she has to walk through to get home from her job at the mall. We caused quite a stir - three white girls, two with giant cameras and sweet Thelma pointing things out. There was a pick up football game going on in an open field, and kids everywhere were yelling, "Mezungus" or white skins at us and requesting that we take their "snaps." I nearly created a riot when I complied to the snap request, they went absolutely crazy seeing their pictures.
Thelma told us that in preparation for the World Cup, her electricity was shut off during high use times, like 6-9 pm, so that they could channel it down to South Africa for the preparation and to actually accommodate the need during the month. I'm thrilled for Spain, but I think I'm more thrilled for Thelma, her aunt Sister Rose and the rest of their family that they can use electricity during peak hours again now that the World Cup is over.
My favorite thing is his Obama kite.
Then I started thinking about Zambia, when my friend Heather's good friend Thelma took us on a "tour" of the compound she lived near, and that she has to walk through to get home from her job at the mall. We caused quite a stir - three white girls, two with giant cameras and sweet Thelma pointing things out. There was a pick up football game going on in an open field, and kids everywhere were yelling, "Mezungus" or white skins at us and requesting that we take their "snaps." I nearly created a riot when I complied to the snap request, they went absolutely crazy seeing their pictures.
Thelma told us that in preparation for the World Cup, her electricity was shut off during high use times, like 6-9 pm, so that they could channel it down to South Africa for the preparation and to actually accommodate the need during the month. I'm thrilled for Spain, but I think I'm more thrilled for Thelma, her aunt Sister Rose and the rest of their family that they can use electricity during peak hours again now that the World Cup is over.
My favorite thing is his Obama kite.
Friday, July 9, 2010
5 Things Friday!
I've received plenty of very welcome complaints and comments about my lack of blogging - especially about Africa. So sorry, I've been super involved in a few projects and it some how became not a priority at all. Plus, trying to sort through all of my pictures, it is quite an intimidating task. But I will try to rectify.
But until I do, here are five things I'm coveting and loving this week.
1. I have long been a fan of Elle Decor South Africa and their blog. Whilst looking through some old posts I found these amazing, amazing lights.
2. After following a trail of clicky clicky links, I stumbled on to these two kids on Martha Stweart's website, and am convinced this is the PERFECT dress - I'd like one in every color please.
3. Man Shops Globe showed this during the show - how amazing, amazing are these pieces??
4. DAMAGES.
I got Season 1, disc 1 last Saturday from Netflix, and have watched disc 1 and disc 2 in rapid fire succession, and am eagerly awaiting the arrival of the postman with disc 3. This show is so well written, and so compelling. It is addictive and amazing. Plus, I love that Rose Byrne.
5. SUMMER!
It is finally, finally hot here. For the past week, the sun has been shining and air conditioners have been blasting. It was rainy and cold up until Tuesday, despite our early glorious spring - we've been robbed of some vitamin d up in these parts. But at long last, our old friend Mr. Sun is out and doing its job. So I'm going to revel in it while it's here.
But until I do, here are five things I'm coveting and loving this week.
1. I have long been a fan of Elle Decor South Africa and their blog. Whilst looking through some old posts I found these amazing, amazing lights.
2. After following a trail of clicky clicky links, I stumbled on to these two kids on Martha Stweart's website, and am convinced this is the PERFECT dress - I'd like one in every color please.
3. Man Shops Globe showed this during the show - how amazing, amazing are these pieces??
4. DAMAGES.
I got Season 1, disc 1 last Saturday from Netflix, and have watched disc 1 and disc 2 in rapid fire succession, and am eagerly awaiting the arrival of the postman with disc 3. This show is so well written, and so compelling. It is addictive and amazing. Plus, I love that Rose Byrne.
5. SUMMER!
It is finally, finally hot here. For the past week, the sun has been shining and air conditioners have been blasting. It was rainy and cold up until Tuesday, despite our early glorious spring - we've been robbed of some vitamin d up in these parts. But at long last, our old friend Mr. Sun is out and doing its job. So I'm going to revel in it while it's here.
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