Because Whistling While I Work Is Exhausting

I listen to my headphones all day everyday at work. I am a music junkie and love finding new bands to get excited about. Currently, I am tapped out and sick of my music collection. Today I downloaded Duffy and the new Madonna single (that I cannot get out of my head) and I am looking to you all for help. Tell me, what are you listening to?

I Can't Tell Which One Is Cuter

Keri Russell in her precious floppy sun hat or her adorable baby boy. That wild blonde hair just kills me!

Like A Train Wreck You Can't Look Away From

Jennifer Lopez is crafty. She is trying to distract our attention away from the fact that she has not lost all her twin baby weight yet, as her heavily photoshopped and choreographed baby spread in People magazine would like us to believe, by wearing more glittery eye make-up than any one person should ever attempt to wear. Seriously, even David Bowie would object to this and that man loves his cosmetics.

DIY If You Dare

I know that bold accessories are making a come back..but this is a little ridiculous. Dries Van Noten marched a girl down their 2008 Fall runway show in a necklace made out of strung up bangles. I am all for taking what you have trying to make it new and not reinventing the wheel over and over again....but seriously? And with its $800 price tag I am sure you are thinking, "I could totally make that!!!" So did an Elle blog writer...and she was wrong!

Let's Make-Up: The Results

The verdict is in: Laura Mercier mineral powder rocks. My make-up tutorial was successful and I think I have finally found a formula for a flawless looking no make-up looking make-up. Since my make up seems to be non existent looking by about 10:00 am, my make-up artist suggested a primer to help my make up hold. I have used LM's primer before but now it comes in an oil free formula which means less moisture and more staying power. So I bought it. He also suggested the tinted moisturizer to wear under the powder to give me slight coverage and SPF protection. So I bought it. The mineral powder is fantastic. You tap, swirl and buff just like you do with the Bare Escentuals and you immediately get a nice matte (but not chalky) finish. Your skin looks like skin!! So...I bought it. The best thing about these products is that you don't have to use much at all to get the look so as pricey as they are, they will last for a long time. Now that I had the LM "Flawless Face" I delved into the world of blush and eye shadow and lipstick. I also walked away with the blush in Pink Spark and my favorite lipstick of all time, Healthy Lips. Overall, my trip to the cosmetics counter was a success and I would recommend LM and the mineral line to anyone, especially if you are looking to trade in your heavy liquid make up for something lighter in the hot Summer months to come.

Sneaker Love

Damn these are cute.

Let's Make Up

Tomorrow morning I am going to the Laura Mercier counter at Saks to have a mineral make up make over. Here's the conundrum about me – I love make up but love the no make up look. Crazy right? I am in search of a make up line that will give me coverage and flawless looking skin that looks like skin and not like war paint. I am told that LM's mineral line is the way to go and I am excited to try it. I will let you all know how it goes on Monday!

Excited

Tomorrow night we are going to see Chris Rock and I can't wait.

God Bless Us Weekly

US online has decided to give my an early Christmas present. They have taken some well known faces from MTV reality show The Real World and done a Then and Now picture post. It is pretty sensational. I really like this one of Jon Brennan. Remember him from the second season LA cast? I am sure many of you sang his part of the intro (truuuueee storrrryyyyy) in his country twang every time it came on just like I did. Anyway, it appears that Jon is still country and has um...filled out.

Christian Gets Ugly

And he's bringing Nina with him!!

Be Still My Heart

After viewing these, I have a serious case of the vapors.

Would You Like To Buy A Paper, Gov'nah?

Feeling Blue

I got some sad news today. The florist who did my amazing wedding flowers passed away. He became a friend to both me and my mom in the process of helping us pick out the right shade of roses and orchids for the big day. Throughout the past few years he would randomly send me flower arrangements with hysterical notes on them like "Thanks for not being a whore. Love, Paris" and I would crack up laughing. My mom and I would cheer him up after fights with his boyfriend with tiramisu and a martini and he would show us pictures of his modeling days in New York where he modeled for Betsey Johnson...in drag. He had quite a life and I am sad it's over. I will never look at another Lipstick Rose without thinking of you, Paris. You are missed and loved in memory.

Search For Stationery

I love getting mail. I think it is possibly one of the best feelings to pull a bright colored envelope with a pretty stamp on it out of the sea of junk mail and bills that fill my mailbox. Currently out of stationery with the remainder of it locked up in my black hole storage unit, I am asking for your help to find some new kick ass stationery. Can you help? Thank you!

I *Heart* These Sunglasses

I am totally in love with Nicole Richie's heart shaped sunglasses. They are just so cute and fun.


What's not cute and fun? Their $255 pice tag.

Calling My Name

DVF, Nanette Lepore and Tibi – all courtesy of the Bohemian collection on Shopbop.

The Enlightenment Of Spencer

Remember when I mentioned that Spencer from The Hills would have his own advice column for Radar Magazine? Well it's here and it's god awful. Check out the way helps this poor girl:


Good work, Spencer. Someone in trouble seeking advice always wants to be reminded that the situation they are in is a bad one. If you dare read more, here it is.

Everything But The Bathroom Sink

As most of you know, we are in the throws of a house remodel. Since I am chomping at the bit to decorate the house and can't yet (it has no roof and only three walls to date), I am in the middle of researching decorative ideas and seeking out the perfect items to make each room special and unique. I bought a book on vintage interiors and came across this image of a bathroom. I fell in love. I totally want to do a spin on this look in our downstairs bathroom. Only problem is, I am having a heck of a time searching for a sink like that one. In the book, the sink is described as a vintage French enamel sink and I have Googled that description every which way and come up with rien – which means nothing in French. Same goes for eBay – rien there too. Do any of you design buffs out there in blogland have a resource for things like this? I would forever be in your debt! Merci!

UPDATE: Erika at Urban Grace Interiors has come to my rescue!

I've Been Tagged

I was tagged last week by my girl Courtney at In(side) The Loop and here are my responses to the A to Z questionnaire. I loved filling it out – I felt like I was on Inside The Actor's Studio, a secret guilty pleasure of mine!

A - Attached or single? Married to my wonderful husband, Doug.
B - Best friend? Without a doubt my mom. She and I are like peas and carrots. Doug is a close second, but only because he hates shoe shopping.
C - Cake or pie? Cake – Strawberry cake with strawberry icing.
D - Day of choice? Saturday – Because the possibilities are endless.
E - Essential item? Comfy pajamas – Gap Body makes the best!
F - Favorite color? Green, Blue, Yellow. You would be surprised to know that I am not a huge pink person! And even though technically it isn’t a color, I LOVE white.
G - Gummy bears or worms? Neither – gummy cherries are the only way I roll.
H - Hometown? Houston, Texas.
I - Favorite indulgence? Shoes, beauty products, magazine subscriptions.
J - January or July? January – the weather here is terribly depressing during this month but I love the fresh slate feeling of a new year.
K - Kids? Not yet, but my 10-year-old stepson, Owen, is good practice.
L - Life isn't complete without? Laughter and love…and Chinese take-out.
M - Marriage date? November 20th, 2004
N - Number of brothers and sisters? One older brother.
O - Oranges or apples? I love oranges, but I hate peeling them. The lazy girl in me will pick the apple every time.
P - Phobia and fears? I have too many of both to list but my biggest phobia is small, confined spaces and my biggest fear is cancer.
Q - Quote? “May you live everyday of your life.” Jonathan Swift
R - Reason to smile? My many, many blessings.
S - Season of choice? Spring if not for the weather, for the pretty sun dresses!
T - Tag three people: Alyson at Unruly-Things, Petunia Face and Cup of Jo – get ready cuz I’m looking at you!
U - Unknown fact about me? I can sip on the same cup of coffee all day long, growing up Beyonce lived on the next street over from me (no lie!!) and when talking to people with accents for some unknown reason I have to talk to them in their native accent. They probably think I am mocking them...but truth be told I sometimes have no idea I’m even doing it.
V - Vegetable? Red bell peppers. I eat them like apples.
W - Worst habit? Not seeing things through. I lose interest in things too often and am left with a ton of half-done projects.
X - X-ray or ultrasound? X-Ray – Ultrasound goo looks (and sounds) gross.
Y - Your favorite food? My sophisticated palette still loves a kick ass grilled cheese sandwich accompanied by tomato soup.
Z - Zodiac sign? Pisces – the dreamy flake of the zodiac.

Going Into Port

After visiting my blog, Lee McCabe of Australia emailed me about the shop his wife, Jennifer, has opened in Sydney. He had a feeling it would be right up my alley and he was right! The name of the shop is Whiteport and the concept behind it stemmed from Jennifer's six year tenure in London.

"While Londoners are spoilt for choice when it comes to online shopping, there were few options here that offered beautiful homewares, delivered to your door, hassle free,” says Jennifer. “We’re all busy working and raising families, so why not make buying gifts and homewares easier?”

Taking matters into her own hands, she developed Whiteport, whose wares are accessible to even the most remote parts of Australia. All of the Whiteport images are shot at Jennifer & Lee’s beach house on Sydney’s northern beaches, where they live with their dog, Scout. Isn't that so cool?

I have been making my way around the site and I must say, Jennifer has fantastic taste and has stocked her online shop with wonderfully pretty things. I am currently loving these pieces:

They'll Always Have Paris

Who watched last night and what did you think? Was Paris kind of a bust? Are Heidi and Spencer eligible for Razzies? Can anyone look cool riding bitch on a Vespa?? Entertainment Weekly writes a good recap. Check it out here.

As If You Need An Excuse To Drink On A Monday

The writers at Radar Magazine have taken it upon themselves to make your Hills viewing experience more enjoyable – by making sure you are too wasted to care that the whole show is actually fake. Check out the rules for The Hills Drinking Game and be sure to stop off and pick up some vodka on your way home from work.

Not A Fan

Maybe I just don't "get" this ad for Marc Jacobs featuring Victoria Beckham but I do not like it. The lines of the dress straps, the bra straps, the hair, the feather bangs, the necklace, the purse strap and and her belt are leaving my eye confused and exhausted. Plus, her tan is so severe it makes her look dirty. This ad makes me long for the one where 65% of Posh was still in the bag.

Is Black Nail Polish Still In?

I know it is officially Spring and pastels and pops of bright color are all the rage, but I am curious to know if black nail polish is still in? Is it one of those hipster things that is on it's way out (or already out) or has it survived trend status and worked its way into the mainstream?

Guest Bloggin'

FYI everyone - I am guest blogging this week on A Cup of Jo while the lovely Joanna, pictured above, is on vacation in Mexico with her boyfriend. Joanna writes easily one of my favorite blogs and I am so excited to do this for her. Enjoy, readers! xoxo

Peep Show

My favorite post Easter treat is not the leftover jelly beans, but rather checking out the finalists in the Washington Post's annual Peep Show Contest. It cracks me up time and time again how creative people get with Peeps. Who knew seasonal marshmallow candy would be so inspirational? The Wonderful Wizard of Peeps, as pictured above, is my favorite finalist closely followed by Thrilla in Manilla, as inspired by this YouTube sensation.

Happy Easter!

Will The Real Paige Please Stand Up?

Hmm. I never really thought I resembled Samaire Armstrong and I still kind of don't. And I don't even know who the two chicks on the left are and I only know who Kerry Katona is because according to Perez Hilton she is a British hot mess who keeps drinking and going to rehab while pregnant. My only two saving graces here are Samaire and Jennifer Garner who looks about as much like me as this person. Anyway, if you want to see who you almost/sort of/don't look like go here and upload a photo of you and watch as the magic unfurls. Please come back and share your celeb not-so-look-a-likes with us.

Springtime...

...is everywhere....even on heels.

The Right White

I have a query for you my fellow friends – what brand of t shirt do you wear? I love white t shirts and wear them out at an alarming rate. I have worn ones from Gap, American Apparel and even Club Monaco in search for the perfect fit, durability, etc. So please share with me where you get your favorite basic from and big points for anyone who can recommend a brand that costs less than $50! Seriously, when did t shirts go designer?

ps- cool photo from flickr

Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

I love live music. Live music however, does not love me back. Being 5"1' does not bode well for concert going. I spend the majority of my time at shows staring at other people's backs and searching for windows (the empty space between two heads – if you are not on the short side you have no idea how hard these are to find). Anyway, I still like to go to concerts and think I have found one that I can't miss.

Behold: Super Diamond

Super Diamond is a Neil Diamond tribute band that originated out of San Francisco. Based on their instantaneous popularity, the band has a cult following including Neil, himself. They are gracing the stage at Houston venue, Warehouse Live on March 27th and I might have to be there. Who wants to get their Diamond on and come with?

Target Bags Another Fabulous Go Collection

It's official. I need to have my direct deposit paycheck redirected to a Target account. The next International Go designer has been announced and it is Richard Chai, who has worked along sides Donna Karen and Marc Jacobs. I want that black and yellow dress and that red top and black skirt like it's nobody's business. I'll have to wait till August, though.

Made In The Braid

I am officially over Lauren Conrad's braid. That thing is a motherf*cker to try and replicate and I no longer have the patience. I have moved on to other braids – more specifically this one as modeled by Nicole Richie. The messy factor of this look means that when I mess it up (and I WILL mess it up) I can just play it off in an "Oh, this was on purpose" sort of way and everyone is none the wiser...except you guys. Shh. Don't tell.

Heads Up

So, who's loving my fabulous new blog header? It was designed by the talented Alyson of Unruly Things. She has made quite a name for herself designing amazing headers that really capture the personality of the bloggers who request her fantastic work. Alyson, thank you again! I love it!

Gossip Girl Has A New Face On The UES

According to TV Guide, Michelle Trachtenberg is going to be shacking up on the Upper East Side as the newest member of the Gossip Girl cast. I'm not sure I am feeling this. Anyone else? She better not get between Serena and Dan!!

Gap Design Editions Return

Remember last year when Gap brought in designers like Thakoon and Rodarte to design a white shirt collection? The collection was photographed on some of today's top models and featured on the cover of Vogue last May. I love my Doo.Ri. top from that collection! Anyway, Gap is bringing it back and the new collection will be available starting April 15th and feature designers like 3.1 Phillip Lim, Band of Outsiders and Michael Bastian. All pieces will range in price from $35-$88.

Thursdays Will Soon Be Right Again

Because everyone seems to be an Office fan...and a Jim fan.

The Perfect Picnic

The house that we are remodeling is a block away from a large green space in The Heights called the Norhill Esplanade. It is a big open park perfect for throwing a football and enjoying a picnic which I could carry down there in this awesomely designed traveling bento box. Plus, it's endorsed by Oprah...which means you can't go wrong! I totally want the blue and green one.

Lauren Does Letterman

Lauren Conrad has started her Hills media frenzy tour to pump up the new season that starts this coming Monday, March 24th. Click here to see her on the Letterman show last night.

Miss Pettigrew Is Good Fun

My mom and I ventured out in last night's downpour to see Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day. It was such a cute film and Frances McDormand and Amy Adams are just adorable as a mismatched London playgirl and her frumpy social secretary. It reminded me a tiny bit of Breakfast at Tiffany's if Holly had an older, wiser social secretary to educate her on the importance of love above money. The set decor and the the costume and make up choices were just as amazing as the performances given by McDormand and Adams. It was a fun, fluffy little movie that I would recommend to anyone. Plus, you get the chance to stare at this handsome devil....who is from Houston!

ps- I promise that will be my last Breakfast at Tiffany's reference! They have been out of control lately!

Michelle In Elle

Natalie Portman may be on the cover of the latest issue of Elle magazine, but the gorgeous photo spread of Michelle Williams inside might steal her thunder. She looks so beautiful and full of grace and elegance.

Late To The Party

Have any of you ever noticed that in Breakfast at Tiffany's Holly's sofa is half of a clawfoot tub? How could I have missed it?

Cheeky Vintage

Last week I attended a party at new Houston vintage shop Cheeky Vintage with my girlfriend, Kristy. Totally intimidated by Cheeky’s appointment only hours, we took this opportunity to scope out the store and all their vintage glory. The first to arrive at the party, we had first dibs on all the goods. Kristy walked away with two fabulous poncho style tops that were adorable. One was very Studio 54, 1970’s and the other was very Carrie Bradshaw. I tried on a super cute dress but it looked a little too Marcia Brady for me and opted instead for the magnificent Cheeky accessories wall. I scored a pair of badass deco earrings that reminded me of Holly Golightly on sight.


My prize finding was this necklace. It is so deco and fabulous and I can’t wait to wear it with my black strapless dress or even with a white v-neck t-shirt and jeans this summer. Now that we are Cheeky experts and not totally scared by the prices, Kristy and I will definitely be back!