Commercials that Reek

Ever notice how perfume and cologne commercials have some of the weirdest (and I use this term LOOSELY) plot lines, ever?

These celebrities and models hawking their signature scent are always roaming in a dreamy field of wildflowers, an enchanted forest, or perhaps paradise beach, and occasionally chasing or being chased by some unattainable love interest*. I find myself with furrowed brows and a tilted head by the end of the 30 (and let's hope not 60) second spot.

I think the tried and true method of the scented samples in magazines are great. Perhaps by saving on commercial advertising, Faith, Reese, Shania, SJP, JLo, and the rest of them can make larger bottles and sell more, or shocker, save the money.

*I can tell you that Scott would not chase me in my perfume as to him, I smell like a grandma (and for the record, I rotate between Ralph Lauren Romance, SJP Lovely, and Estee Lauder Pure White Linen). The 'grandma' business is a constant debate.

The Red Shoes

It's a sad day. My red shoes need to be put out to pasture.


I love these shoes. I bought them about 4 years ago on an impromptu trip to Urban Outfitters before I met up for a dinner date with Abs. They were perfect: a lightweight peep toe-wedge, featuring cute cutouts, and of course, were red. Like a LBD, I think every gal needs a good pair of red shoes.

The Red Shoes just called out to me, and I remember I found it odd that they lacked a brand name and their box was just the plain, blank white variety. I know they came in an vanilla color as well, that I believe my friend Krissy later purchased.

They have lived a good life with me. The elastic next to the buckle has been repaired nearly 10 times and they always pulled through. However, I am beginning to walk out of them from the uber-stretched elastic strap and the wedge is looking like hippopotamus skin.

Rest in peace my favorite shoes. You completed many outfits, took me to my first post-college job, were captured in our engagement pictures, and of course, were part of my daily life. And I thank you for that.

Merely a Muggle

Life boils down to two camps, and you must decide which one you belong in:

Harry Potter or Twilight.

I literally wear my Gryffindor badge of honor on my sleeve. I have admitted to anyone that may ask, that I've read the series six times, maybe seven. Who's counting? The world that Rowling created is such a fabulous fantasy, layered with friendship, love, and sacrifice. Her web of this fictional world required extensive planning and research, beyond the story I can appreciate her absolute devotion to all that is the essence of Harry Potter.

Twilight on the other hand, is arguably similar in the fairy tale world that coexists with humans. Though a little more Romeo & Juliet, it captivates readers young and old, just like HP. Granted the fans are primarily women, and I can attest that I fell under Edward's spell. By casting a rather dreamy actor for the role (and I love the venn diagram that it produces with the lovely Rob Pattinson and his humble HP beginnings) it catapulted the character to tangible status. Simply, this page turning series is a harlequin romance. Edward is the perfect man doting on Bella-what other woman wouldn't want the same?

Like many books, movies do not always transfer to the screen. That is a tough pill to swallow as a devoted fan. I bashed my teeth 5 minutes into "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" this summer. It was an utter disappointment. The artistic direction was comepletely lacking. Add to the fact I stood in line for four hours to see the midnight showing and was definitely a grump about its complete crap translation.

Sunday morning, Scott and I went to see "New Moon," when I realized how desperately I wanted to see it. I have read the Twiglight series only once, probably two years ago, or when the last book came out. I didn't have such a fresh mind going into the movie, and after seeing the first which was laughable, knew not to expect much. Did anyone else completely loose it when any of the vampires gave their infamous glare? Jasper in particular has the same exact face in every scene. I just about hear the director saying "I'm going to need a little more vampire brooding." I suppose the book is not always looked to for guidance in these cases.

These books are exciting, adventurous, and engaging stories. One is more of a romance with the other having occasional romantic moments. They are page turners and have made readers out of many children, teens, and adults-I have seen several friends take them up after declaring themselves non-readers. In some ways its exciting to be a part of this fantasy phenomenon, books that may be classics someday (well, I believe Harry to be more likely, but if also judged by Twilight then that as well.) I have such a love for this literature it reminds me of my younger years when I could not get enough Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Babysitters Club.

I am waiting on pins and needles to read New Moon again, borrowed from my sister, but apparently the series is loaned out among many friends. I tried to buy it at Barnes & Noble on Friday but they only had it in hardcover (not a fan) or paperback with the movie cover-NEVER ok. I am hoping the fabulous Costco will have the set in paperback that I can purchase.

Oh, and to answer which camp I am in-very much Harry Potter, but I would still declare Team Edward. Cedric Diggory did come from Hufflepuff you know.

Sunday Confessions

I had to take my belly button ring out for surgery and have not put it back in yet. I think my navel looks slightly deformed, but this could just be from the absence of flair.

Truthfully, I forget I even have it between October and May. When summer roles around and I don bathing suit, I stupidly recall "oh yeah, you're there!" Silly I know.

So Merry Christmas Dad. One daughter loses a ring, another gains. At least you are at a net zero!

Things I Will Never Understand

I think it's pretty fair to say many people do a lot of deep thinking on their drive to work. It's a period of self-reflection, and for me, channel surfing away from morning talk, except for Ralph's Showbiz Report on KROQ.

I often have ideas for blogs during this period, and make my mental to-do lists that I am convinced I'll remember, yet never do.

On a recent drive, I started thinking about things that I will just never understand, in no particular order.

1. Workaholics. Perhaps it would be a different story if I owned my own business, however life is too short and my personal life and time are too much a priority.

2. Chronic exaggerators. So funny to hear a shared experience from one of these people when all you can think is "when did any of that happen?"

3. People who must "reply all" when it's completely unnecessary.

4. Negative Nancy attitudes on FB, Twitter, and the like. There is a lot of crap in this world. We can always find something positive to say. The fact that you have an Internet connection is amazing itself for some.

5. Star Trek

6. Dead fish/limp noodle handshakes. Ladies no excuses. Men, really?

7. How someone figured out to look inside pineapples, coconuts, pomegranates, and other crazy fruit to find something edible inside.

8. Why social equality is still not commonplace in this world.

9. Pple wHo MUST tyPE in tha maNNeR daT ILLUSTRATES tHEiR inteLLagUnce LEVEL. And excessive use of the <3 and ♥.

10. Lactose intolerance. Just seems like a cruel joke on those who suffer from it. I could not live without cheese and don't know how others do it. Hats off to you. I am happy to share your chocolate milk.

Back to Work Recap

This concludes the week that I returned to work post surgery and wow its been a doozy.

I wore a skirt Monday-Wednesday, and yesterday due to immense fatigue and cold weather, I had no energy to shave my legs and thus had to wear pants. Big mistake. The waistband and fabric rubbed the swollen incision every time I stood, sat, or moved at all. Today will be another dress, though this experience has told me I do not own enough skirts/dresses and of those only two accommodate tights. I can't do colored tights or leggings, so it's black only and my husband suggested nude but then I would feel in costume or that I'd regressed back to the dance team and forgotten to take them off for the day following the morning rehearsal. Perhaps this illuminates more fashion phobias I need to get over. It will likely leggings before colored tights.

My energy levels have been ok. Usually around the afternoon I am most fatigued and sore but only due to the increased movement. It's a hurdle I need to conquer, but none too quickly.

Overall, some days are better than others. Shooting pain can't be helped much when I am out of my prescription because my doctor has weaned me off, though ibuprofen does a great stand in job. I had some long days due to catch up and deadlines, but as they say, c'est la vie.

I am thankful to have good friends there to check on me to make sure I am not lifting anything (Leah and Cristal) and of course just doing well throughout the day (Andrea). Thank you guys :)

All I can say at this point is TGIF. After three weeks off that feeling came back real quick.

Taking on Twitter

I have been using Twitter for a couple months now after much resistance from those who loved it. Because blogging has really become a part of my life, I can see the appeal that Twitter offers as a lead in to that, as well as the platform for mini-blogs, connecting with new people, marketing a business, and simply following friends in their daily lives.

Like many, my resistance retort was simply "I have nothing interesting to say." My thoughts tend to be mostly work/personal life/random to-do lists, but certainly sandwiched between a few illuminating ideas, if I may say I can conjure a few, and random rants of course. I figured the few brilliant ideas were worth the sign up, and so it began.

Being an active follower of many blogs, I enjoy being able to see what these people are doing in real time, because I already have found something in common with them. It's also great having a glimpse into what my real life friends are up to, though it never makes up for dinner dates with you CLI ;) And the ability to follow such influential individuals could not be any more accessable-President Obama, Dodgers baseball, Ellen DeGeneres, Taylor Swift, and Candace Cameron Bure (please cue Monica Gellar-"I know!")

Twitter is a powerful tool for business, though I doubted its capabilities at first. As my social media guru Rayanne continues to impress, the social media platforms of the world are not going anywhere-time to embrace them.

I suppose my one issue with Twitter revolves around member usage. I don't quite understand the conversations that take up my screen between people-isn't that the point of a direct message or good old fashioned email, or instant messanger? Don't get me wrong, two or three conversations between people is fine, but 30 tweets back and forth is so silly. I understand you only have 140 characters but it floods my page. Of course I could just not follow these people anymore, but I do enjoy what they have to say when I don't feel like a creepy eavesdropper.

Do you have a love/hate relationship with Twitter too?