Ring a ding dang Thong

Lately, I have been hitting the gym pretty hard. Treadmill, elliptical, bike, ab workout, etc....not only are the holidays approaching but there are many weddings to attend next year and I don't want the flab to hang around in any lasting pictures.

The gym is a place for hard core energy exertion and sweating. It's a place to wipe your face on a towel or t-shirt and not be concerned about the way your face is getting red and your hair is untamed. So why is it that last night while on the elliptical I had the absolute un-pleasure of watching a fellow twenty-something run on the treadmill in front of me in nothing but a sports bra and see through white shorts which wonderfully showed off her black thong?

Uh...hello!! When did this become OK? No one wants to have a black thong peeking at them while they are going for 30 plus minutes on a machine. I think it's also safe to assume that this is not attractive to men either.

The thong is a liberating piece of clothing that helps women prevent VPL [visible panty line]. Wonderful for form fitting pants, skirts and dresses. The abuse of the thong through 1. low rise jeans, 2. see through shorts, pants and dresses and 3. namesake bikini bottoms - have given thongs a bad rep. My wish for the fashion forward and respectable lady is to please, please, please use the thong appropriately. It will save both the trend and yourself from embarrassment.

Good Grief, Charlie Brown

After sitting through horrendous traffic last night, I was relieved to finally be home and discover that A Charlie Brown Christmas was on TV. Curled up on my couch with a glass of wine and the glow from my Christmas tree illuminating the room, I enjoyed the holiday classic. As we all know, the movie features the beloved Peanuts character Charlie Brown and his quest to find the true meaning of Christmas. In the beginning, he wonders why he becomes depressed around this time of year. He soon becomes involved with the Christmas play and in the end discovers the spirit of the holiday, with help from Linus who gives a monologue on the birth of Jesus.

The story touches on how commercialized Christmas has become, which devastatingly interferes with the spirit and meaning of this special time of year. Developed in 1965, if commercialism was bad then, think of now. The general public has strayed away from the art of Giving and mastered Taking. To be true to the holiday season we should remember to keep things at a balance. Receiving is always exciting, but giving back warms the soul.

Growing up, my dad would always pick a Charlie Brown tree for our home. I could charge his choice up to the fact that he waits until two days before Christmas to get one, but I prefer to believe that he really meant it when he said "It's important to pick the Charlie Brown tree. It just needs some decoration and attention and then it will be perfect." My dad is someone who has never been caught up in the new gadgets, toys and the "I want's" of the season, but simply enjoys to be around the people he cares about - he understands what's important.

With that, I hope that each and every one of us can stop at some point this holiday season and say "good grief" to commercialism and do something that makes yourself and someone else feel extra special.

A Shopping Oasis

I love the holidays. In fact, Black Friday is one of my most favorite holiday's. Yes. It is a holiday. Prices slashed left and right, speed shoppers weaving in and out of the turtles wandering with no direction, and the music. Ahh the music. Nothing puts me in the spirit like Bing Crosby and Mariah.

I spent Black Friday this year at the Danbury Fair Mall in Connecticut with my fabulous friend Christina. A few mishaps early in the day: Christina overslept and I forgot my wallet. We are the absolute best dysfunctional friends you could find. Back on track, we checked out artificial Christmas trees, specials at Williams-Sonoma, and of course all of the important retailers. It was late in the afternoon when we were not only starving for food, but starving for an unsuspected Black Friday miracle. Then it happened.....we suddenly stumbled upon a store we had never laid eyes on before: Martin & Osa. It was a shopping oasis!

Martin & Osa has been around for about a year and is the high-end sister store to American Eagle. With only a handful of select locations around the country, this store brought a breath of fresh air to our tired bodies [and spirits]. Martin & Osa is crisp, clean and had wide open space - you can actually feel the cool breeze lacking in retailers such as Abercrombie, Hollister and H&M. With an oak decor and colorful images of men and women frolicking in the snow, it seems as though you've been transported to Aspen.

Now for the dressing rooms: oh how they impressed me! The waiting area was stocked with comfortably padded benches with an array of magazines to flip through. The dressing rooms: large, with room for two, a call button near the door, a sign explaining the "Free Alterations" policy....and the Fiji water. A cold bottle of Fiji was handed to Christina and I before entering the dressing room. Can you say Heaven on Earth?

Sadly, I was not too impressed with the variety of silk dresses and tops. Silk just lays awfully on people. However, I found that the men's selection was very nice and reasonably priced - that is, for a Black Friday sale. At checkout, my item was placed in a canvas bag, then placed in a large box. The receipt was put into a little white envelope and added to my shopping bag. Yes, Heaven on Earth.

As I write this, I can only hope that Martin & Osa continues their refreshing customer service in each store they open. It's so rare to find a place at the mall that isn't over-heated or mobbed with teeny-boppers.

End of the day analysis: Great Day. Fabulous Company. Family Gift List Complete. Mission Seriously Accomplished.

It's a girl thing...

Last week, accompanied by my lovely friends, I experienced Shecky's Girls Night Out. The DAR constitution hall was turned upside down and inside out to accommodate the mass amount of fashionistas, fashion victims and fab vendors. While noticing the obvious no-no's in choice of apparel, free drinks and discounted goods kept me buzzing from table to table. With a complimentary massage throw into the mix and a hot new designer to do PR for, the evening was non other than Fan-freakin-tastic.

DC should really invest more time into finding organizations like Shecky's to fulfill the many wants and needs of its fashion forward women. This is no longer a city of blazers, pant suits and boring, plain navy and grays. DC is experiencing a new splash of color, where a stylish while still conservative dress with a funky necklace can overtake the pant suit on the Hill; where half priced pedicures are more popular on the feet than overpriced taxis; and where dinner and drinks at a trendy bar trumps getting to bed early to be in the office at 7. DC - listen up - the women I saw at Girls Night Out are powerful, trendy and sassy....and we are painting the town.

A Sad, Sad Day

My friend Carissa is about to start a new job downtown and leave me all alone at work. Well, not all alone - but semi. Rachel and I are simply heart broken over Carissa's move. Though it's a wonderful opportunity for her and we are happy for that.....it's just not the same.

We were the humorous three amigos. The mighty three musketeers. The three good fairy's of Sleeping Beauty. OK, so maybe I'm taking this a bit too far. We are all still such wonderful friends and will have many good times to come. Still, I can't help feeling a bit down.

Carissa, my friend, I wish you luck as you start the next chapter of your life.....we will continue to sip martinis and guzzle beer....dance like we're the only ones on the floor....and perform wardrobe consultation. Perfect.

......And I find a little extra comfort in the fact that I'll have you here for at least a few more years. Just a little:) HEART YOU!

Autumn

School buses zooming by....leaves changing color.....a cool, fresh breeze floating through the open window.....the smell of spiced pumpkin. Yes my friends, Autumn has arrived.

I'm pretty positive that autumn is my most favorite time of year. The chilled weather is perfect for a long sleeved shirt or light jacket. You can walk all around downtown without breaking a sweat. Pumpkin patches are up and running for visitors to stake their claim. The best part of autumn though, is the smell.

You can say there's no "smell" to the season, but there certainly is. And I just heart it.

Dirty Laundry

Rules:
1. Dirty Laundry is to be kept sacred among those the owner tells. This does not give permission to observers/handlers to do any of the following:

a. tell others

b. speak freely around the owner when in a social situation

2. Dirty Laundry is only to be shared with the most trustworthy friends - obviously you are trusting them to provide you with advice or simply just get it off your chest. Not every friend is entitled to this trust so you should consider yourself lucky.

3. It shows a lack of class to air someones Dirty Laundry. Point is simple: don't do it, no matter who the people in the room are.

4. Come on all you lovely ladies out there....bring back the class I know you have somewhere deep down....possibly far far down, but still. I know it's there!

Foot Note: If one feels like they might burst out some Dirty Laundry, follow this procedure:

1. Pause to think about who you are with

2. How may this affect the owner of the Laundry?

3. Put a Hamper on it!

No one ever said housework was easy.

An unadorable mistake on the stage

For all who watched last Sunday's VMA's...or simply read the 30 blogs about it on Perez Hilton, you know that Brit Brit did not have the anticipated comeback many of us hoped for. What was supposed to be a career resurrection quickly turned into the plight of the once-fabulous Ms. Britney Spears. I can't say that I'm not disappointed or surprised.

Perez called her out on it all - drinking and partying every night instead of rehearsing, placing blame up and down the VMA guest list, simply not trying. PH might have been a bit harsh, and I certainly don't agree with him that Sarah Silverman [how fowl is she!] rocked the show....but come on Brit - take control of your life! And seriously, she should have objected to the glitter clad bikini they expected her to jiggle around the stage in - I'm sorry but she is not confident enough in her body yet to be getting down on the dance floor in anything that lacks material.

I will obviously purchase her upcoming album, with fingers crossed that Ne-Yo pulls through some fantastic, earth shattering songs for her. In the meantime, I can only hope that Britters gets her sh*t together and shows us what a truly fabulous entertainer can bring to the stage - regardless of the path her life took these past few years. It's a shame that K-Fed had ambition to be somebody.....that could have saved Brit a lot of trouble [i.e. money, style and stretch marks]

Fare thee well

My good friend A is saying goodbye to cold winters, autumn color changes and new-beginning springs. Next weekend she's packing her bags, loading her car, and moving to sunny Florida where the summer weather lasts forever.

I trekked to PA this past weekend to help celebrate A's departure. L met me in West Chester and we continued on to M and A's apartment. As L and I were catching up during the drive, I let my random thought come out, "what if C is there?" In this case, C is an ex....an ex where things did not end so pleasantly.

"Why would he be there?" L said.

I explained the 'why' and she says "doubtful."

Everything at A and M's apartment was great....I love seeing the girls and reminiscing of college days and sorority escapades. After several adult beverages we hop into our cars and head to the hip bar, Kildaire's in King of Prussia. We pay the $3 cover, walk to the back of the bar and up the stairs to the second level where the DJ is spinning some hits. Walking toward the back table where I've spotted our friends, I notice an Asian man that looks familiar.....where do I know him from?

Two seconds later I take in the tall, dark haired man in glasses sitting across from him....it's C.

Grabbing L's arm I whisper "he's here. C is here!" At the bar L and M stare at him while I'm getting drinks....they don't believe it's really C. He looks thinner, significant loss of muscle...no where near as vibrant as he used to be. Back at our table I decide that I'm pretty sure he's seen me....and if not me, then certainly my friends' staring at his table. I'm the bigger person.....I go over to say hello.

It was fine. Totally fine. He's doing well....I'm doing better.

With that, I go back to the girls, enjoy my drink.....then give hugs and warm wishes to A. One last glance to C on my way out, and I know that when that mess ended, it was probably the best thing that could have happened. He's just standing. I'm soaring.

Mr. Right Now

Hello, my name is Kate and I'm a commitment phobic. Or, at least I was. My attitude toward relationships has changed and I no longer fear the idea of committing to one person. Relationships are a fickle thing though. Of all the dating categories, I must say that my best friend's category tops the list. A serial monogamist with a commitment phobia. How scandalous is that?



My friend *Chloe has never had a one night stand, never gone on 3 first dates in a week, and never had a fling. She remains in long term relationships, but can't help wondering what else is out there. What if she misses a great opportunity with Mr. Right because she's in a relationship with Mr. Right Now? I guess that's the chance you take when you commit to someone - or pretend to commit.



The best relationship I personally ever had was with New York. New York never made me feel lonely, was available 24/7, constantly showered me with gifts of entertainment, discounts, culture and drinks. I gave that big, beautiful city my whole heart. The same heart that broke when we parted ways. No man could ever live up to the expectations that New York set....I suppose I'll have to learn to love again....in a different way.



When all is said and done, I don't think there really is a Mr. Right. Everyone is a Mr. Right Now, and he can become whoever we want him to be...a New York, a fling, a forever. It's not a change in person, it's a change in heart.

Downfall of an Icon (?)

It's safe to assume that I am one of Britney's most loyal fans. I have always maintained the notion that her career will bounce back and place her on top of the totem pole once again - and there I would be, standing in line with her fresh album burning hot in my hands. I don't believe that she has the range and tone of mastermind singer Christina Aguilera; or that she possesses the cult attraction and following of Madonna, who has been a constant in the musical world for 24 solid years and a personal favorite of mine. But Brit has something else that I love. Each album she released contained lyrics that, word for word, described the position in life I was in....how I felt, what I was doing...testing the waters of life. On each album I could find a few songs that matched me perfectly. For this reason, I will always be interested in what she will produce next.

I'm just not sure now if she will actually be able to produce anything that truly relates to me. While Brit has fallen so far downhill, I've continued my climb up. I'm not compromised by wanna-be rappers in baggy jeans, I'm not reproducing like a rabbit, and I'm certainly not lackadaisical in hygiene. She's fallen so severely far down, that I'm not quite sure she'll be able to bring herself back up. Her disastrous photo shoot and interview with OK! Magazine has exposed her mental state to the world - the only conclusion is that she needs 1. therapy, 2. medication and 3. a dog trainer. [http://www.tmz.com/2007/07/23/britneys-disastrous-photo-shoot/]

Maybe calling Brit an Icon is going a little too far. However, she will certainly go down in the books as the Pop Princess and for her record breaking influence is the industry. Whether you like her music or not, she once reigned supreme over the pop world, second only to Madonna.

So for now, until she "does it again" - RIP Britney Spears - your toxic music and dancing will be missed.

Sun kissed

I arrived back from Florida this morning - and will need about three days to recover. M & B were the perfect hosts and showed off the fantastic Ft. Lauderdale area. The beach, as it always is way south of the border, was heaven. Yes, the sand was scorching from the sun, but the water is crystal clear and rather warm...like the baby pool at the local swim club, minus the babies and their liquid. There's nothing I love more than splashing around in the clear water absolutely carefree - not worrying about what sea creature might be lurking like in the north Atlantic. A few hours of water play and I realized that the Sun God himself had kissed me....drenched me with color so graciously that I'm actually looking a bit red. Ah well, I think it was worth it.

M & B took me to the Hard Rock Casino, which even my 15 year old sister is familiar with thanks to Anna Nicole Smith's rather public death there last winter. Here's a secret: I've never gambled. Not once. So, M took me to a slot machine while B and his friend hit up the tables. I only put a dollar in the slot, and sadly lost it. I'm really not a fan of putting out money if I'm not guaranteed it back...that dollar could have been better spent towards a martini. I guess me & gambling were never meant to be.

The rest of the weekend was full of drinks, pool, sun and fun. I'm now trying to rid my body of the high volume of alcohol still gurgling around in my stomach and catch up on some beauty rest. End result: they live in a fabulous area, where planes fly at fabulous rates; I don't see why I won't be back again soon.

Leaving On a Jet Plane

This morning I crawled out of bed somewhere around 6 am. Marking the earliest time I've risen since moving into my new pad, I was desperate to hit snooze a few more times. Alas, I could not do so as I had neglected to pack my bags for my south Florida trip earlier in the week as originally planned. I can't help that my social calendar fills up quickly....ah, or gets added to at the last minute.

Tonight I fly to Miami to spend a few days with M, who has been living down there for almost two years; who I have regretfully not managed to visit yet. As we don't get to see each other often thanks to the annoying length of the east coast, I'm ecstatic to spend the weekend beach bumming, shopping and sipping martinis with her. Possibly a little dancing.....but that would require a high amount of intoxication for M.

Today is not only the start of my mini-vaca, but also a day of firsts. It's the first time I've done an online check-in. After a few complications with work printers, I have successfully checked-in, printed my boarding pass, and will be heading to the airport courtesy of the big blue Super Shuttle van in a few short hours. The pure joy of not having to wait in the long line of crabby, gum cracking travelers upon arriving at the airport is giving me the necessary energy to get through the morning. Now, the line for security is another story.....

Bon voyage....I wish I could be singing "don't know when I'll be back again...." but my return ticket says otherwise.

American History 101

Today, despite the horrendous humidity, I trudged around downtown in look for something 'cultural' to do. While the day was perfect to lay pool side, cocktail in hand, I'm beginning to miss the quiet, pleasurable afternoons I used to spend at museums and galleries in NY. I decided that the Smithsonian would be a smart place to start, as the National Portrait Gallery currently has what I think is the best crash course in American history I've ever seen. Wandering through the rooms, you will see portraits of men and women who helped pave the way for what is now modern day America. From European explorers, to Native Americans and the first Puritan settlers', through the Revolutionary and Civil War...the portraits cover years of history, giving a more enjoyable lesson than the old social studies books from high school ever did.

Allow a few hours to really enjoy the museum and pack a snack to avoid the over priced cafe. One negative...it was a bit noisy. I somehow managed to show up on "Nationals Day" - members from the relatively new major league team were on hand to sign autographs for the kiddies. I won't lie...I contemplated jumping in line behind a group of eight year old boys in hopes of catching the eye of a fetching baller [secretly hoping they'd be in full uniform so I'd be able to view their amazing buttocks through those brilliantly tight pants....]

Quickly retracting from what would have been a captivating day dream, I opted to forgo the long line of fans and enjoy my simple afternoon.

The Classic Ten

Everyone knows....or at least should know...about The Classic Ten. The top ten articles of fashion that every woman should include in her wardrobe. If you're not familiar, the pieces include:
1. the little black dress
2. the white shirt
3. the cashmere sweater
4. blue jeans
5. the suit
6. high heels
7. pearls
8. lipstick
9. sneakers
10. the trench coat

The book, The Classic Ten is written by Nancy MacDonell Smith and explores the origins, meaning, and remarkable staying power of these staples of fashion. Really, it's a bookshelf must-have for any female with a stylish soul.


I bring up The Classic Ten, because over the years I've put together my own list of Classic Ten...The Classic Ten Beauty Necessities. These items have proven their staying power to my own beauty emergencies time after time. Here they are:

1. bronzer
2. Smiths Rosebud lip balm
3. Preparation H Cooling Gel [works wonders on puffy black eyes]
4. face mask [preference to all-natural ones, like Anakiri]
5. SPF lotion - >15 protects us from those nasty premature wrinkles
6. vaseline [variety of uses: if you think your eyeshadow is just about done, mix the remains in vaseline to create a new lip gloss. Also great for rejuvenating dry skin - slab some on feet after a shower and put on socks. After 20 min you're ready to go, smoothed and moisturized]
7. mineral liquid foundation [minimal use for maximum coverage]
8. a great eyeliner
9. nude lip liner accompanied by lip balm [I suggest Naked Lip from Cat Cosmetics - gives lips a fuller, natural pout]
10. tweezers [ enough said. best light for getting stray hairs is in the car]

Of course, my beauty box also contains random eye shadow, concealers, lid and face primer, hydra spray, a variety of mismatched cosmeceutical products, etc. The important thing is that I keep all products in one, medium sized box. If it doesn't fit in the box when I buy it, then something has to go. This allows me to keep only the items I love, and the junk stays away. Choose wisely.

A Change of Address

Broadway, club openings, a plethora of museums and sample sales...I made my home for the past year and half in the city that never sleeps. Never a dull moment. Always an exciting adventure around the next corner. Why did I leave?

After handing in resignation for my Account Executive position at a beauty & lifestyle PR firm, I drove a jam packed van through the Holland Tunnel feeling severely overworked, a bit depressed, but with a mind full of oh-so-valuable knowledge. What I learned is irreplaceable and will certainly get me, or at least my body, through life. Go ahead, test me. Do you need to diminish laugh lines? Nip, tuck and pull at the jiggles in your skin? Reverse the age of the back of your hands? How about de-puff those dark circles? Trying to get your jewelry in a fall bridal shoot? Yes, yes. Ask and I shall tell.

Unfortunately, the information I once considered a hot commodity has been put on the back shelf professionally. After accepting a PR position with a non-profit in DC, I had 4 days to relocate. A wonderful relative offered a room to me in their home - thankfully - so I would have time to apartment hunt. Their home is in what I consider the country....the commute was rough, the shopping even rougher, but the dinners were always delicious and the air fresh.

Another change of address....3 months of country living and I've landed back in civilization. My apartment is on the outskirts of DC and was the first available place with what I consider to be normal roommates. With my new commute and raw introduction to DC city life, I'm beginning to think that the USA has it all backwards when they call DC a city. To me, it's just a big neighborhood.

You see, I am the epitome of a true city gal: Transportation = taxis, sometimes subway, prefer town cars; Nightlife = neighborhood bars for beer, VIP in hot spots for lounging; Walking = a grid. Plain and simple; Splurge = half-priced beauty treatments courtesy of Shecky's, designer clothes at 85% off, cupcakes from Magnolias. I'm sure DC has similar attractions...I just need to discover them.

Same girl. Different city. Watch me figure it out.