Friday

Last night my seven year old niece was talking about all the boys that she liked. My sister and I asked her what she was going to do about liking all these different boys. She said, "I'll marry one and then break up, marry another and then break up, marry another and then break up, until I've married all of them."

Troubling? Yes

Confusing? Yes

Funny? Yes!

First of all, I didn't think my niece even knew what "breaking up" meant. Her parents are happily married, her grandparents (on both sides) are happily married. Where is she learning about breaking up? And should I be happy that she is such a modern woman at seven who feels no qualms about picking up and moving on to something better?

All I can say is that I was astonished and also a teeny bit proud of her speech last night. She then went on to show me some of the positions she learned in her new ballet class. If there is anything cuter than the serious face of a 7-year-old striking ballet moves, I don't know what it is.

In other news, I watched Life, Unexpected which aired on Monday, but I had it Tivo'd. I think I may already be hooked. It was such a good show! Entertaining, nice pacing, good dialog, great music, what else can you ask for? It stars Shiri Appleby from Roswell and her co-star Kristoffer Polaha (very cute!). It's about a former high school liason that resulted in a baby. It is now 16 years later and the biological parents' (Shiri and Kristoffer) lives are disrupted when the baby Shiri had in high school and gave up for adoption (unbeknownst to Kristoffer) comes looking for her biological parents. Critics are comparing it to Gilmore Girls, a hugely popular show that I am admittedly only discovering now in re-runs. So I will be tuning in to this new addition to my already packed television-viewing schedule!

Speaking of television-viewing, did anyone catch Heidi Montag's two-night interview on Access Hollywood? AND her cover of People Magazine? She's 23 and has already had over 10 cosmetic surgeries! I don't like to speak disparagingly about people, especially when it comes to matters of self-esteem and confidence, but this girl may have some issues that are not being addressed properly. She and her husband are publicity hounds to a frightening degree. It seems they will stop at nothing for notoriety, even if it means completely transforming themselves to the point of no return. While being interviewed for Nightline last night, Heidi said, "My message is about inner beauty." Ju Ju Chang, who was conducting the interview, said, "But that is the exact opposite message you are portraying." I don't know what is going to become of Heidi & Spencer. I hope that there flame is fleeting and that they are not public figures for the duration. Only time will tell.

This weekend I am hoping to get to the movies. Last weekend I saw Avatar in 3D at an IMAX theater. I wasn't even wanting to see that movie but the opportunity arose and I am a sucker for going to the movies. I did, however, get a little motion sick from the 3D aspect of it but it was an incredible movie. I didn't care so much for the plot, it was all about the visual adventure. If you are planning on seeing Avatar, I highly recommend the 3D version!

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

For the Love of a Garlic Press

Tonight I cooked a pasta dish that I learned from Giada (I still think her recipes are some of the best I have found). I typically avoid making this dish for one sad and superficial reason...I hate when my fingers smell like garlic! It drives me crazy because that stuff lasts. No matter how many times I wash my hands, they hold on to the pungent smell. So tonight I made a major change to my cooking routine. Instead of slicing up the garlic and subjecting my fingers to the lasting scent, I put one clove through a garlic press and PRESTO...just enough garlic, minced and ready to go! (Yes, the little things really do make my day!)

Get Your Motor Running!

I don't know how I have done it, but I have run every day of this awesome New Year! 2010 is already leaving 2009 in the dust. I read somewhere that if you do something consistently for at least 30 days it becomes part of your routine. Running is becoming that thing. I started in early Fall and have continued forward diligently. If I'm not feeling well or have any sore muscles or pains, I still hit the treadmill (just not at the same speed and intensity). I think running is becoming my version of prozac. Seriously! It gives me the biggest boost and changes even the worst mood. (And it balances off my love for certain foods!)

Happy New Year

I really wanted to be on-the-ball and post this on January 1, but alas, life got in the way. I hope everyone had an enjoyable New Year celebration and took time to reflect on 2009. This year was probably the most difficult year for me personally, but it was also a time of great growth because with struggle comes strength and understanding. I am looking forward to 2010 and have high hopes for good things to come. I don't want to do a recap of the year, as I am seeing them everywhere and feel that by now we should all have a good idea of what happened in 2009. In a nutshell, too many deaths.

Last night I watched Revolutionary Road with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. I know that this movie received some great awards and recognition, but the movie based on the 1961 novel by Richard Yates, was depressing. I could go into further detail, recapping the poignant moments, the larger themes of being trapped by societal pressures and the strong acting, but really, it was just depressing. I can completely appreciate the need for deep, meaningful, often heart-wrenching movies to help us reevaluate our lives, understand more complex worlds and appreciate how far we have come, but sometimes depressing is just depressing. I have not read the book but have heard it is much stronger than the movie. So if I were you, check out the book first.

Yesterday I spent the day babysitting my seven-year old niece and we baked a cake with her Easy Bake oven (a Christmas present from Santa). I felt like I was having a flashback to my own childhood, as I completely remember the wonder and amazement that came from actually baking my own cake! I felt cynical when I began internally criticizing the makers of the Easy Bake oven for using a light bulb to cook a cake...and not well, I might add. But then I looked at that joy on my niece's face as she pulled the dried out, yellow "cake" from the oven. She was so proud of her accomplishment and wanted everyone to try a piece. Isn't that what life is all about? Those little moments of excitement? Hopefully 2010 will bring more Easy Bake oven moments...and take us down fewer Revolutionary Roads.

Building a Bathroom

This blog is about my life, so I will be including all aspects of my life. At the moment, I am currently remodeling a bathroom in my house. I am planning on updating this site with our work-in-progress. I really like the marble counter top and matching marble floor that I found through Katy Elliot's site.

On Women and Working

Wall Street Journal reviews books on women in business.

Tina Brown on the Future of Journalism

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Brigitte Dale...Super Woman

This girl is fantastic! Vote for Brigitte here.

A Day In The Car

Yes, this is the face of someone who battled traffic all day!

Better to Give

We always hear that it is better to give than to receive. This article from the New York Times (along with the studies included) shows that this may in fact be the truth. It is a wonderful story for this time of year.

shopping

I wrote an entire post while waiting in line at the Coach store in Wrentham Village Outlets and the moment I finished and was about to post a woman bumped into me (quite aggressively) and I accidentally pressed the back arrow button, thereby erasing my entire post and the last bit of patience I had so determinedly held onto.

Basically, my deleted post stands as a symbol of the craziness I encountered. I do, however, highly recommend looking for discounts this holiday season. It will allow you to make smart financial decisions, keep your wallet full and give you the opportunity to buy more *stuff* for those you love. And seriously, isn't the fun of the holidays opening a whole bunch of surprises?! Wouldn't you rather have a lot of really nice presents to open than one overpriced item?

My Novel

Well, it is official and by putting it on this blog, I will be held accountable. I am finally putting pen to paper (actually fingers to keyboard) and writing a novel! It is a brand new story and I think I am in love with it! I have been working on one story off and on for about five years and I think my constant revisiting was thwarting any forward momentum.

I know that I am late on the National Novel Writing Month (November) but I think that the purpose of that month is that it shows us all that it doesn't take years to get something significant completed. You can start anywhere, anytime.

Beautiful Envelopes

One of my favorite sites is Creature Comforts and they brought these fantastic envelopes to my attention.

Holiday Postcards

I am always drawn to the personal, handwritten note, even more so when it comes time for the holidays. We are becoming more and more impersonal as we become more technologically advanced. I am still a sucker for the photo Christmas/Holiday cards, but I also like the handwritten note inside the card. Some people just sign their names, like they are signing a check. Or worse, they have their names printed on the cards. Some people even send a list to the printers, who print the cards, seal them, and apply postage. I want something more meaningful. Give me a quick update, a note to say "hi" and spread some holiday cheer. Maybe if we all slowed down a little and took the time to personalize our holiday cards, it would benefit our hearts and souls and bring joy to others, as well.

I am really loving the Holiday Postcard idea!

{photo courtesy of Rifle Paper Co.}

Beauty

Anyone else ever dream of being a ballerina? I am thirty-years-old and still find myself hit by a tinge of sadness when I realize that I will never be a ballerina. The grace and elegance is inspiring. I think this is why women try to emulate a "ballerina look" on their wedding day.

{photo by anna wolf}

Book A Week

With the new year right around the corner and my reentry into the blogging world, I wanted to add a specific dimension to my site. I want to read a Book-A-Week and report back on it here. I am a book publicist, so reading is my job and I tend to get lost in my client's books and stop reading for my own enjoyment. I want to incorporate this Book-A-Week challenge into my site because I think it will not only be a great way to bring titles to readers' attention but it will also be a great place for me to record my own travels through the literary world and will hold me accountable to update the site with my particular books of choice.

Reading is a great escape and there isn't a person alive who doesn't need an escape from the trials and obstacles that life presents on a daily basis. I also like the exercise of writing about reading. I have an affinity for book clubs and reading is not only my escape but my passion. I have appeared on Oprah five times to talk about her book club. Now, with her show ending, and with it the Oprah Book Club, I need a new outlet to infuse my obsession with reading.

Not every book I pick will be deep and meaningful, some may be light, fluffy and, dare I say, "Chick Lit!" This is for pure enjoyment, which is what reading is meant to be and I do believe that no matter how trivial a book may seem, you always learn something. So every week at least one post will be part of the Book-A-Week project. I am already half way through this week's book...which I started this morning...and will let you know my thoughts later on in the week.

What I love most about this project is that it is really for no one else but me. But hopefully, along the way, it will inspire others to pick up a book and READ!

Urban Beautification

Look what a splash of color and polka dots can do for the city streets. This was installed by "anycoloryoulike" in 2008 on the streets of New York as a vivid art intervention for urban beautification and environmental awareness.

Literature Love

If you are looking for a gift for a book lover who already has every book she could ever want, you could always consider going an alternative route. Literature Jewelry! Apparently these books are actually usable and wearable!

Here is the description from the creator's Etsy shop:

My books are made using archival insides and antique outsides. Inside you'll find lineless strathmore drawing paper - thick, hand-torn, acid-free pages that work perfectly with ink, pens both thick and superfine, pencil, charcoal, and myriad other mediums. the pages are each hand sewn with archival linen binder's thread. The books' covers are made using hand-picked scraps and worn leather from wherever I can find them, cut to fit the appropriate size. The books can be carried daily and beat up. They are quite strong creatures.

Index Cards

I am always amazed and impressed by the talent I stumble upon on the internet. This site, Record the Day, shows us a new and inspiring way to use index cards to gather the daily bits of beauty we find during our journey. I just love this creative way to express yourself!

The New York Times Best Books of 2009

The New York Times has released it's list of the best books of 2009. Because no two reviewers are assigned the same books to review, they are all selecting from their own separate set of titles, which just means more suggestions to add to your Holiday Wish List!

{photo courtesy of Tony Cenicola/New York Times}