WO: Weekly Obsessions
The past two weeks were a whirlwind between four flights, four cities and 5,000+ miles. To say I’m tired is an understatement, but it’s a first-world problem I’m grateful to have. Here’s what else I’m thankful for:
- “The Emperor’s Children”: A friend loaned me this 2007 bestseller recently, assuring me I’d enjoy the New York backdrop. She hit the nail on the head, as I quickly pieced together the story’s undercurrent and dreamed of fonder times in NYC. While it was slow to start (for me), I’d still recommend it to anyone in search of an emotionally charged novel.
- “Little Fires Everywhere”: Can you tell I’ve been on planes a lot lately? I devoured this new bestseller in two sittings, and only a little bit because it’s on tonight’s Book Club agenda. The characters are deeply flawed and perfectly human; the analogies are consistent; and the storylines are fascinating. I can’t wait to see what my girls thought of it, too.
- “Riverdale”: Not to worry; I’m not all books and brains over here. It took me forever to get on board with this sinister take of the classic comic books I so adored. But now that I’ve started, I’ve had a hard time stopping. The soundtrack, costuming and cinematography are just a few of the reasons I think you’ll enjoy it too.
- “Wolves” – Selena Gomez f. Marshmello: I wish I had a better reason for surfacing this song besides the fact that I like it. While I still get Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato confused, there’s no mistaking how much fun this bumping, sultry sound is. It’s perfect for a poolside playlist or weekend workout. And yes, all that alliteration was necessary to prove a point 😉
WO: Weekly Obsessions
Just when you think reality can’t get any scarier, something like the Manchester bombing happens — at a freaking Ariana Grande concert. And we all stop… and maybe we post about how terrible it is; maybe we donate money to help the victims (conversion chart here); maybe we put others before our own needs for a few minutes… and a day or a week or even a month may pass. And then something insane happens — again — to innocent people. Whether that’s as senseless as a terrorist attack or as critical as ensuring healthcare coverage, how are we ever able to feel like the future isn’t futile? If you have an answer, please do let me know. Here’s what’s helping me cope in the meantime:
- Mister Rogers: I read this series of tweets last night and promptly cried my eyes out. Happy tears, but tears nonetheless. Entertainment Weekly writer Anthony Breznican recaps the time he happened to meet Mister Rogers in an elevator, then proceeded to have a neighborly conversation about loss. It’ll pull at all of your heartstrings, and hopefully remind you how light can be found in the depths of darkness.
- Service Dog’s Yearbook Photo: I couldn’t possibly talk about coping without including some four-legged friends. Alpha is AJ Schalk’s service dog, and 10/10 would recommend him for being a good pup. AJ asked his high school’s yearbook staff if Alpha could be included, since he’s clearly a vital member of the student body, and they happily obliged. Is that not the happiest lil’ fella you’ve ever seen?
- 25 Hilarious and Wholesome Tweets: Are you sensing a theme here? Whatever your stance on BuzzFeed as an information source, I will forever appreciate the site for its ability to make me smile. These tweets are each sweet and simple, and should bring a smile to your face as well. If not a smile, then perhaps some Chloe side-eye?
- “Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles: I can’t think of another song that almost immediately brings me to tears each time I hear it. Again, they’re happy tears, and sometimes it’s just a glimmer of a tear, but something about the melody and uplifting lyrics puts me in a bubble-wrapped glass case of emotion. It reminds me of my dad; it reminds me of hope; it reminds me there are better days ahead.
WO: Weekly Obsessions
Maybe it’s the influx of new parents on my FB stalker feed. Maybe it’s missing my niece something fierce. Maybe it’s just that I have finally found a soft spot for (some) children.
Whatever the reason, here are some little nugs keeping me entertained this week:
- Allison: I’ve been obsessed with my niece for almost a year now — ask any of my friends — but I’m going through serious withdrawals lately. Just look at that faaaace. Do you wanna see 500 more photos? Inquire within.
- The “Apparently Kid”: This viral video features a young gingery boy who has the vernacular of an old-timer. His explanation of riding the super slide is to die for!
- Baby Cries Until You Let Her Rage to Katy Perry: My dear friend shared this video, because it reminded him of Allison. It’s reassuring to know I’ll be a great babysitter if it just takes pop music to make her happy.
- “Dark Horse” – Katy Perry: Well, obviously. I enjoyed the song (quietly) for some time, but I guess I can now make my obsession public. If it means it’ll stop a baby’s wailing, I’m all about it, KP.
Images courtesy of: Family, BuzzFeed, Daily Mail, RNB Exclusive
WO: Weekly Obsessions
If you’re expecting some sort of social commentary on the Trayvon Martin case, you’re in the wrong place. All I will publicly say about it is that I’m not a lawyer and my home state of Florida sure knows how to make a scene. What I’m happy to share, instead, are these four feel-good finds:
- Baby Fever: Real tweet from yours truly — “Everyone’s off getting engaged, married or pregnant and I’m over here like: Which bars can we get kicked out of tonight?” In all seriousness, I get to celebrate the upcoming arrival of two babies this week*: My boss’s and my sister-in-law’s! Bring on the goofy games and endless desserts 🙂
- Ice Pops: I like to kick it old school from time to time, particularly when I’m waiting for A/C to be installed and dying a slow death. Enter your favorite childhood treat, and all is well … until you cut your mouth, of course. Sweet victory.
- MLB All-Star Week 2013: This year’s celebration is in good ol’ NYC, causing a flurry of tourists and events to my new home. The Home Run Derby offered plenty of entertainment, but I could have done without the parade. Morning reroutes and being trapped in the office for lunch were not so fun.
- “Enter Sandman” – Metallica: The best reliever in the history of baseball was part of his final All-Star team, helping to secure a win for the American League. This hardcore hit is the future first ballot Hall of Famer’s entrance song — a perfect fit for this badass and All-Star Game MVP.
Images courtesy of: Mah iPhone, tumblr, IBAF, Jane Heller
*I hear there’s a royal baby on the way, but I’m just not interested. Kid probably will have a normal name and definitely won’t be as sassy as Suri.
WO: Weekly Obsessions
What better way to celebrate a shower of spring beauty than with my weekly desirables?
- Ulta: It’s recently replaced Sephora as my go-to beauty stop. The membership coupons are fantastic, and I love the incredible selection of spring shades.
- Maybelline Dream Lumi: I don’t normally bother with concealer, but I just had to try this illuminating formula. It hides imperfections and highlights your best features — fab!
- My Nails: Gave myself a trendy mani with essie Chinchilly, keeping essie Lilacism on just my ring fingers, and the compliments keep rolling in. I think it says “cloudy with a chance of rain.” 🙂
- Suri Cruise: My favorite fashionista turns six today, and Yahoo! celebrated with a slideshow of style. Let’s hope it somehow ends up in the burn book — take that, Shiloh.
Be beautiful, my springtime flowers! And, apologies for today’s exceptionally girly post … you know you love me.
Images courtesy of: WWD, Maybelline, Mah iPhone, omg! from Yahoo!
Suck It, Martha
Happy VD Day, all! Hope you’re celebrating with good people and even better drinks. I chose to celebrate by taking on a Martha Stewart craft for the Valentine’s mailboxes at my office. I even pinned it to make sure I stuck to my goal. Just four steps … how hard could it be?
Side note: As a former sorority girl, I pride myself on my crafting skillz — especially if I can get hold of glitter glue.
But that Martha, she is a saucy minx. She makes it look so simple: Cut felt circles, glue ribbon and wire to them, insert a fortune and fold! That’s it!
Instead, here’s how horribly it all went down:
1. Using fabric shears, cut a 4-1/2-inch diameter circle from a piece of felt. Cut a piece of matching ribbon slightly shorter than 4-1/2 inches. Using wire cutters, cut a piece of floral wire slightly shorter than the length of ribbon. (So far, so good. Except, I mixed up the red and pink ribbons with the opposite-colored felt pieces. I’m sure no one will notice.)
What could possibly go wrong here?
2. Using craft glue, affix the wire to the middle of the felt circle. Glue ribbon on top, covering the wire. Let dry 30 minutes. (Start to seriously think Martha’s got nothing on me … am overly confident at this point. Come up with unique fortunes in my blissful state — why not movie quotes?)
Blurry, but you get the idea.
3. Fold the felt circle in half, using the wire as a guide, so ribbon is inside cookie. Next, angle the sides toward each other, bending the wire at its halfway point and forming a fortune-cookie shape, as shown. (Something’s amiss. Why are these looking more like tacos than fortune cookies? Use more craft glue to close the taco-cookies, and use candy to weigh it down. This will work. It has to.)
Mmm, tacos.
4. Assemble the fortune cookies. Carefully peel back one flap of the felt cookie, and insert a paper fortune and a few candies. Fold the flap back over to close cookie around contents. (How does the flap stay closed? That doesn’t make any sense. There’s no way in hell I’m fitting candy in these things.)
Ready for their office debut!
Among other lessons, I found that it’s a good idea to read user comments on a project before starting — just as you would with a recipe.
I also managed to cut my fingers thrice, ensuring me a spot in the Hepatitis Hall of Fame. Where was that in the instructions, Martha?
After the glue, blood and tears dried, they ended up looking just fine. And next to my Red Velvet Cookies and Justin Bieber cards, nobody cared that they didn’t quite resemble treats from a post-Moo Goo Gai Pan coma.
Now that’s romantic.
Why I’ve Lost All Hope in Humanity
Try as I might, I’ve lost hope in humanity already this New Year (and even more quickly into the Chinese New Year — Gung Hay Fat Choy). A small sampling of reasons why:
These people are procreating. That’s right: Two of America’s best and brightest will bring a child into this world. Teachers of America, you’ve been warned. The only conceivable (do you see what I did there?) upside is that Suri’s Burn Book just got a whole new chapter of crazy.
These people are separating. A celeb couple who didn’t let fame faze them, they showed a tremendous amount of love and care for each other. I applaud their decision if they think it best; but now all of us ladies are left to question once again: Is a lasting marriage possible?
These kids have parents like this. I’m all for little girls playing dress-up — but as a princess, not a prostitute. “Toddlers and Tiaras” continues to draw millions of fans (and plenty of backlash), as parents parade their kids around in heavy makeup and provocative clothing. And yet, plenty of prospective parents suffer with infertility issues.
This lady is featured in a wildly popular show. Are you scared yet? Watch it again. It doesn’t matter how out-of-context these clips are — the fact remains that this woman “entertains” more than 2 million viewers weekly. Well, at least she’s not a Kardashian?
This team won last night. I simply cannot support a Boston squad, especially when one of their top playmakers is so incredibly doofy. My dreams of a Harbaugh bowl now crushed, I shall support that other red, white and blue team from the Northeast.
I worry the Year of the Dragon may be our last. Which signs of the apocalypse have left you shaking in fear?
WO: Weekly Obsessions
It’s the middle of the week again, so here we are … four more obsessions to “Ooh” and “Aah” over:
- someecards: It’s no secret that I love the just-right sayings these cards provide. Something about mixing simple drawings with sarcasm just takes my breath away.
- Suri’s Burn Book: Hollywood’s favorite tot has found her voice, and she’s not afraid to use it. Read her rants on celebs, from royalty to her own mother, and check out her accompanying tweets here.
- Bright Prints: Today is especially gloomy, so I wore my brightest (and only) yellow blouse, and guess what? The day still sucked. At least designs like this keep me distracted from the misery.
- Blue Ivy: The offspring of Jay Z and Beyoncé has arrived, and the Internet is abuzz over this horribly named baby girl. My favorite reaction? Suri’s, of course.
Good luck getting over that hump … I’m planning to make a glass bottle of vino my best friend tonight.
Images courtesy of: someecards, Jezebel, The Gloss, Twitter
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