I *heart* Tim Gunn

Tim Gunn, thank you so much for saying what I have been thinking ever since Michelle Obama became the latest American fashion icon.

Tim Gunn: "Not to sound disparaging toward anyone, but when people cite J.Crew as budget shopping—it really isn't."

Cue angelic choir now, please. So much satisfaction! I got so tired of hearing and reading about how down to Earth the Obamas are because Michelle Obama shops at J. Crew for herself and the girls. To buy coats for little girls from J. Crew is pretty much the opposite of shopping on a budget. Kids grow super-fast and something like a winter coat is an investment you know is basically going to be worn for only one winter before being packed up or donated to someone with younger kids.

I don't at all disagree with J. Crew as an option for the Obamas. Classic, clean lines and vibrant, youthful shades were definitely the way to go for the new first family. The inauguration was a special occasion, and the girls needed something classic and memorable. HELLO, that's why they shopped at J. Crew! Not because of their budget! If it was about the budget, Michelle Obama and some security guards would've been hitting up their local Target.

Love Tim Gunn, love J. Crew, love Obamas' winterwear. Two thumbs down to people who think J. Crew is shopping on a budget. If they have so much money sitting around, they can share with me.

Old people drink lots of coffee

So, I'm almost the big 3-0, and except for when I worked at Starbuck's, I haven't ever really gotten into the habit of drinking more than one cup of coffee a day. And I've NEVER understood what the point of decaf was. I've always thought it made more sense to just drink water than decaf.

Old people, however, drink like a pot of coffee a day. Like my parents. And it's decaf all day long. (?!?!?!?!)

Lately, the unthinkable has begun to happen. Sometimes at night, after dinner, I sort of think how nice a hot cup of coffee would be. And on weekend afternoons, I sometimes make a cup of instant decaf coffee. (I can only handle one caffeine drink a day, or else I can't sleep when I want to. Don't mess with my sleep.)

And so it begins. The oldness is coming.

!!!!!

Don't you hate it when out of the blue someone says something to you that makes absolutely no sense at all, and then when you're trying to ask them to explain why on Earth they would say such a thing, they look at YOU like you're the crazy one? Then they walk away and you start to ask other people what they think of it, and they totally agree with you, and the conversation just turns into how infuriating that person is, but you never convince that truly crazy person of how crazy they are? It's great that someone else agrees with you, but what you really want is for that person to go "AHA, I see what you mean. That's not what I meant to say. I meant to say ____." Then everyone laughs and goes hahahaha what a silly misunderstanding!

I really want that nice, neat happy ending. I'm never gonna get it. Even if this person reconsiders, I'll never hear, "you were right. I WAS insane to say that. I'll never think that crazy way again." But I have to let it go for the sake of professionalism. And maturity, I guess. I'm not good at letting things go. This is hard.

Penne Lasagna

So, I like to make lasagna sometimes. The thing is, you have to wait for the lasagna noodles to cool enough to handle them. Last time, I ran cold water over them thinking who cares ... it's going in the oven anyway? That worked fine, but I burned my fingers a little bit. And then you have to layer everything and it takes a bit of patience, you know? Every time I make lasagna, I have sore feet by the time the pan goes into the oven.

Today, I said forget it. We're using penne instead.

So simple. Why didn't I think of it before?! All that tomato and ricotta yumminess, but so much easier.

There's so much leftover because le husband and I had this yummy salad first (romaine, cucumbers, roma tomatoes, crumbled feta, peppercorn ranch dressing and twice baked Wegman's croutons) while the pasta was busy bubbling away in the oven. I was going to grill some peach halves for dessert, but I forgot to get vanilla ice cream. Instead, we'll have to have the leftover Ghirardelli brownies I made on Monday. They're the best brownies I've ever made from scratch. (The recipe is on the label of the baking bar.) It's been a good cooking day. I love it when that happens!

Why not use punctuation?

Seriously? Ford/Lincoln/Mercury decided to launch a new advertising campaign to spread the word on their current promotion and call it:

Why Ford. Why Not.

?!?!?!?!??!

Where are the question marks? If you begin a sentence with "Who", "What", "When", "Where", or "Why", you use a question mark at the end. It's that simple. Those are questions.

Who are you?

What are you doing?

When are you coming over?

Where are we going?

Why didn't you proofread your undoubtedly expensive ad campaign?

I get it if you skip the punctuation if what you're trying to convey is that you don't care, I guess. If you want people to like you and buy your cars, then don't you want them to think that you care?

I wholeheartedly disapprove.

Le Pens

My favorite pens are Le Pens.

They're more like super-fine tip markers, really. They're smooth, sleek, and sexy. They come in every color you could want. And they have an awesome name. I just bought a set of 18. You should too. You'll love them - I just know it. They're perfect.

Yo!

So, after 8 1/2 years of dating, plus over a year of being married, le husband managed to reveal a hidden talent to me this weekend. On Friday morning, (LOVE the three-day weekend) FedEx knocked on our door and dropped off a package for le husband. He had ordered a yo-yo. Apparently, he used to be pretty good at doing tricks.

I didn't even know there were people who did tricks with yo-yos. I never even wondered what they were for. I think I saw a Mythbusters episode about yo-yos being used as weapons ... but I don't really remember what they decided. So, anyway, he's been "yo-ing" all weekend. I think it's pretty cute how determined he is to learn new tricks. It's fun after all this time to learn something new about him. Incidentally, my hidden talent is that I can read backwards pretty easily. I guess I sort of revealed that one to him not too long ago. It makes for a fun car ride, at least. My favorite backwards word right now is Sremrofsnart. It's everywhere. Anytime you get to say "snart", it's fun.

I want it

This dress is so cute, and Zooey Deschanel is so cute in it. I love it!

Welcome Back

Bermuda was lovely! Too bad tomorrow is Monday and we have to go back to work. :(

Good thing I took lots of pics!

Don't be jealous

We're leaving tomorrow morning for Bermuda!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ta-ta for now!

My Boyfriend

So, le husband and I took my parents to Madame Tussaud's in DC this past weekend. We saw Rolling Thunder. In fact, we crossed the street in between Rolling Thunder, and then later, we saw them and talked to them at Outback Steakhouse. But even more exciting than that was the fact that we ran into my boyfriend, Johnny Depp. Yep, this is him next to me: I'm so glad le husband isn't easily threatened. In fact, he even took this picture. What a guy.

KT Tunstall

I love this video. She makes me want to dust off my guitar and beg le husband to tune it for me so I can learn this song. :) She's a whole band all by herself. If she can do it, who can't? Amazing.

Go Potty in the Box

People have a hard time picturing a dog using a litter box and they always laugh when I tell them about how my dog does just that. So, here he is! I hope he doesn't mind that he's on the internet doing his business. He looks pretty proud.

Window Shopping

If only I shopped to my heart's content, and clicked everything into my "shopping cart", well ... there would be no money left for groceries. I am SUCH an online window shopper. It's just as satisfying as actually buying those things (for at least until I walk away from the laptop) and it saves me so much money! A few of my faves today:

$31.99 at http://www.target.com/

Why I want the Pyrex storage set:

... because I hate washing those stupid plastic containers in the dishwasher. they always flip over and I have to handwash them anyway. Then, they get soap stains every time I handwash them! Annoying. I'm seriously thinking of making the change to glassware.

$59.99 at http://www.ninewest.com/

Why I want the tote:

Look at it. It's adorable.

$495.00 at http://www.jared.com/

Why I want the Swiss Army watch:

... because it feels so mature. Look how big it is. I would love this watch with a blousy silk shirtdress in a dark, rich wine color, aviator sunglasses, and while strolling down a cobblestone European street. Don't you love this watch? I could do some serious European-style window shopping when I wear this watch. Love it.

You can see why it's better that I just lust after these things at my desk, instead of going out to each place and buying everything I want. These are, after all, just a few of the things I fell in love with today.

Celebrity Look-Alikes

The other day, I stumbled across a picture of Clay Aiken, and I thought, "Whoa - he looks like kd lang!"

Yes?

Crazy dog

What is up with this dog? I thought The Dudle used to be a crazy dog (until he got older and calmed down finally), but this dog is weird. Too funny. Dogs rock.

Keeping in touch from Virginia to Texas

After high school, I moved to Virginia, and my BFF stayed in Texas. We don't see each other much, but we talk on the phone and chat online regularly. We laugh a lot. Good times.

Don't do that!

Grumble, grumble. It was a rainy morning. I took a deep breath and decided to go grocery shopping and just get it over with already. It's my turn this weekend. Unfortunately, everyone else in town had the same brilliant plan. (It's supposed to clear up, which it is trying to do right now, and then be glorious and perfectly spring-like all day long tomorrow. A nice gift from God on Easter Sunday, I guess. Overachiever.)

As I drove around the Wegman's parking lot and parking garage for 20 minutes looking for a parking space, I told myself "don't get upset - it's fine". Let's chalk this uncharacteristic zen attitude up to the yoga I did earlier this morning. My tree pose is getting better.

I shopped. Wegman's has these new shopping carts. There are two different sizes. One is like ... picture two baskets stacked on wheels and kind of slanted out like a step-ladder. The bigger one is a behemoth version of that. I chose the behemoth for this trip. We needed toilet paper and that would take up a whole basket/shelf thingy on the smaller one. It's SO big and since the lower basket/shelf thingy juts out, you have to remind yourself that it's there, and not run into things. It's a little disorienting when you have to redefine how much space you require to maneuver through aisles, in-between people, and all the miscellaneous things like stacks of cheese on a table. On top of all of this, everyone in town is here at the same time - don't forget that patience-testing factoid.

About halfway through shopping, I remembered that I can never hear my phone ring in there, so I put in an earbud with the iPhone-answering button on the side, and listened to my Genius playlist created based on "Come On Come Out" by A Fine Frenzy. It was all light, airy, songs and I blissfully tuned out the rest of the world while I finished up. I didn't take the earbud out until it was my turn to check out. *Must remember to shop while iTuning. Much better for my mental health*

So, I paid, I left, I stepped in a cold puddle. I picked up my jeans legs, knowing they would fall down and be cold and wet on my skin in 30 seconds, but I did it anyway. Ick. No problem, almost done. The yoga is still with me.I unload. Le camry is packed and ready. I turn around to take the cart to the cart barn (I just made that up - what is that place called? The cart shed? The cart house?) and what do I see? A car. A car has been waiting for me to unload, take the cart to the cart barn, come back to the car, and leave. The nerve. That is the equivalent of tapping your foot while you wait for someone. Seriously! It would be different if it was just for a second. But I had to unload, arrange, make sure the bread wasn't getting smushed, take the cart to its rightful place, come back and drive away! All the while, this car was sitting there, staring at my backside, tapping its foot at me. You go get your own available parking spot. Don't act like this is your spot, and I'm in your way. No, no, no! I played the musical chairs game in the parking lot an hour ago, and I got a spot. I didn't cheat. This was cheating. Grumble, grumble! And look how they probably think they're so virtuous for patiently waiting for a spot to open up instead of driving around in circles like insane people. They're putting me on the spot! I've been stared at without even realizing it. I am UPset. Don't do that. Don't you tap your foot at me! So, what could I do? I blushed (partly because I'm shy like that, and partly because I was ANGERED) and hurried up and drove away. Except I couldn't hurry up and drive away! Some old lady was also being tapped at and I couldn't leave the parking lot until she finished her unloading and driving away because the toe-tapping car was holding up traffic! Not only was I stripped of my grand exit, do you know what she did? She left her cart right there. She did NOT even walk across the lane to the cart barn. Picture me rolling my eyes at the old lady, tapping my fingers at the steering wheel, windshield wiper wiping. Tick-tock, people. The yoga has left Diana. In the words of GOB from Arrested Development, "COME ON!". I hate grocery shopping. This is why we have to take turns. This is why I need to do more yoga. Grumble, grumble!

Operation Hot Mother

Le husband has been trying to make me watch LOST on Netflix with him, and I am so not into it. I fell asleep during season two/episode three last night, but I don't think he noticed. (I don't really get why they're pushing a button every 108 minutes. Why don't they just see what happens if they don't push the button? It can't be worse than being stranded on an island. I'm just saying ...)

So here are some of my faves, by category.

Favorite foreign series:

Coupling on the BBC - it's like Friends, except they have cool British accents, obv, and it's more focused on what happens in romantic relationships instead of anything like how their jobs are going (bleh). One of my favorite conversations is when the guys of the show are talking about how girls always have "tiny pants" when they start dating them, but the longer they date the girl, the bigger her pants get. HA!

Favorite drama:

Prison Break on Fox - it's the best drama ever! I watched a few seasons of 24, and this is so much better. I care about every character's storyline, and when I start to stop caring, they get rid of them - just like that! We started watching on Netflix and then we watched on PS2, and now we're all caught up and ready for the next new episode ... which is next Friday! There better be a really good ending to the series or else I'm going to have to revise this post.

Favorite comedy:

Arrested Development on Fox - it was sad when they cancelled this show. It was so under-advertised!

Buster: My Army training tells me... that this is going to be a hot mission.

Michael: What? A hot mission?

Buster: Yes. I create a diversion, and you grab George Michael and go. We need a name. Maybe "Operation Hot Mother".

Michael: No, le-let's try to top that.

Narrator: They never did, and later, "Operation Hot Mother" was underway.

If only it had been marketed better. Good thing I have the DVDs.

The Dudle

Le husband and I had to take The Dudle to the vet yesterday. All is well, but I just thought he deserved a shout-out for his traumatic experience. Last night, somebody told me a story about a dog who pees all over the kitchen when the owners leave it home alone. I'm so glad we have an awesome dog who would never do such a thing. In fact, when we go for a walk, and he smells where other dogs have peed on fire hydrants and lightposts, he snuffs and prances away. The Dudle is really civilized. Plus, he smells like my grapefruit shampoo.

Work It

My favorite thing about working out is listening to music at the highest volume I can handle without wincing. Since it's so loud, I can't tell what I sound like, and I'm in the zone, clearly, so I don't really care that much what I look like, either.

This is all fine and dandy when you have your own personal treadmill in your own private space. Since we moved, we now live above some other apartment and I feel like it's rude to run on their ceiling when we have a perfectly nice gym downstairs.

So what's my point? Oh, nothing, except now I can't sing along, or pretend like I'm punching a punching bag, or anything fun!! When Pat Benatar says "hit me with your best shot", I want to do it! It's hard to behave.

p.s. this girl has an awesome ponytail

The Mondays

I haven't had much to say lately. Today is no different. Don't get me wrong - I'm not depressed or anything. In fact, I've laughed at a lot of things today. It's just the weather! I need some sunshine and warmth STAT. Mondays are tough, but especially when it's gray and gloomy all weekend long, and all day on Monday. PLUS, the week's forecast has little gray clouds all over the place. MEH!

Le husband and I are going to Bermuda in June.

I wish it was June.

June. I just have to wait until June.

Short Skirt/Long Jacket

Okay, so I've copied and pasted the lyrics (from my handy dandy iTunes widget that fetches lyrics for me) for the verses from the song "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" by Cake. (anybody need a back-up singer for the game Don't Forget the Lyrics?!)

Can I just say ... I want this girl too?! She is awesome. Except for maybe the burning eyes part. I don't want my eyes to burn like cigarettes. (stop smoking right now if you do!!! it's disgusting pleaseexcusemewhileivomitatthethoughtofanyonesmoking)

A mind like a diamond - a girl who knows what's best? Yes, please.

The right allocations? Fast, thorough, and sharp as a tack? Yes, please. Especially in this economic climate. Where has my 401(k) gone?!

Uninterrupted prosperity? Yes, Yes, Please!

Here's the part that gets me, though. "A voice that is dark like tinted glass".

This isn't a girl. This is a woman. Now, I'm the first to admit that I'm guilty of calling everyone a guy or girl regardless of age. (4, 40, 400, I almost always just say "girl".) But, I think I'm finally going to stop that. I just turned 29, and I should try to embrace maturity. I'm a woman already by some standards (legal, I guess since I'm over 18. Fine, so make it by ONE standard.) But nobody really refers to me as a woman. Young lady, young woman, fine. I have a baby face, so people don't even think I'm over 25 usually. And to old people, 25 is young. Getting married changed me from a Ms. to a Mrs., which made me feel a little womanly. But, how often do I need to use the Mrs.? Hardly at all! (not that I'm complaining. I don't really like Mrs. ick. it sounds old. and frumpy. kind of like 29 sounds.)

So, no wonder I feel empowered whenever I hear this song on my Genius playlist. I want to be a woman who cuts through red tape and picks up slack. I want to be a woman who can handle it all and still fiddle with my hair and be girly in a womanly way.

Maybe what I need is a briefcase and a new suit. Ixnay the briefcase. I just got a new Nine West bag. Maybe just a new pair of heels and a blazer. Yes. This feels right.

Short Skirt/Long Jacket (lyrics)

I want a girl with a mind like a diamond I want a girl who knows what's best I want a girl with shoes that cut And eyes that burn like cigarettes I want a girl with the right allocations Who is fast and thorough and sharp as a tack She is playing with her jewelry, she's putting up her hair She is touring the facility, and picking up slack I want a girl who gets up early I want a girl who stays up late I want a girl with uninterrupted prosperity Who uses a machete to cut through red tape With fingernails that shine like justice And a voice that is dark like tinted glass She is fast, thorough, and sharp as a tack She is touring the facility, and picking up slack I want a girl with a smooth liquidation I want a girl with good dividends At Citibank we will meet accidentally We'll start to talk when she borrows my pen She wants a car with a cup-holder arm rest She wants a car that will get her there She's changing her name from Kitty to Karen She's trading her MG for a white Chrysler Le Baron

Howdy

So, I guess I have a slight Texan twang for certain words. Most people don't notice, but every once in a while, someone will comment on my pronunciation or wording.

Par example:

Everyone Else: green beans

Me: green BEANS (This is true of any type of beans as long as the first word is only one syllable. I don't think I stress the beans so much when I say kidney beans. Then, it's KIDney beans. Maybe this isn't Texan so much as just a bit of sass which is usually attributed to being raised in the South instead of these Yanks I'm surrounded by who pronounce everything correctly, of course.)

Everyone Else: you, you guys, etc.

Me: y'all (Sorry, I stand by it. It's a perfectly acceptable contraction of "you all". Use it. Love it.)

Everyone Else: Aunt, pronounced like it's spelled

Me: Aunt, pronounced like ant (I just can't make myself say Aunt. It feels wrong in my mouth.)

Everyone Else: Texan

Me: Texin :)

and, of course ...

Everyone Else: Husband, pronounced Huzbund.

Me: Husband, pronounced Huzbind.

The other night, I was sleepy and talking nonsense. I said to le husband, "how do you spell huzbind?" And he answered, "H U Z B I N D". I smiled and drifted off to happy sleep. It still makes me smile.

Ta Ta, Holidays

The holidays are officially over in our home. The tree is down, the gift boxes have been broken down and taken out, and now we have order once again.

Now, it's birthday time! Happy birthday month to mois.