1. My stomach is far more sensitive than it used to be and Tums are my friend.
2. I am well past my “clubbing” prime and I still don’t want you to buy me a drink sir, thank you very much.
3. People in Whistler go to clubs in their pajamas (and others opt for just their underwear.)
4. Botox does not look good- especially when you’re too thin and you’re sporting a too tan.
5. I am no longer capable of participating in multiple nights of debauchery in a row. I’m officially a lame ass with a one night party maximum, and I need my beauty sleep.
6. All the words to this song. Apparently it’s Danielle’s new favourite song to request.
7. I like Whistler best when I have a snowboard in the back and a day on the mountain to look forward to, but I think that sunshine-filled Saturdays at the pool with my girls are pretty stellar too.
8. It’s just not a stagette unless there are shameless penis props involved.
9. Di has a liver of steel and it works like a freak of nature. Nobody has ever been so drunk at 4am and then seemingly stone cold sober when she awakes (looking incredibly well rested, I might add) at 7am. It really seems impossible, doesn’t it? Di gets a gold star for being the ultimate trooper this weekend.
10. My friends are totally awesome (this I already knew…but this weekend served as a reminder.)
You all know of my love for Britney Spears. Naturally, I was both nervous and excited to see her open the show at the MTV Video Music Awards last night. I’m quite sure that I wasn’t the one who was wondering what would materialize from these witty ads.
We all remember what happened last year… the 2007 VMAs opened with baited breath. For days the world was weak-kneed with anticipation over her big comeback performance. Would she be cool or crazy? Hot or haggard? It was all anybody could think about…and she bombed…(my heart was sad)
…but let’s not forget that Ms. Spears has also had some incredibly dynamic performances on that stage. I still think she has it in her.
Yes, we have all watched Brit take too many steps down the spiral of shame into which she descended over the last few years, but to see her looking happy and beautiful at last night’s show made me feel all warm and fuzzy.
I was absolutely ecstatic to see my girl take home her first three “Moonmen” ever all in one night (she’s been nominated sixteen times and hadn’t won until this year). I swear, I had tears in my eyes when they announced her name and she rose from her seat to go up and accept the “Video of the Year” award. The standing ovation was special, because I think that many of us have been rooting for Britney. She’s gone through an excruciatingly rough time- and to see her healthy again- not to mention the thought of watching her personal life and her career go back on an upswing- makes me very happy.
Her acceptance speeches, though short, dripped with that Southern sweetness that originally endeared her to us. Her triumphant return certainly made me smile and I can’t wait to see what this once again radiant lady has up for us next.
Photos courtesy of MTV
I’m having flashbacks,
glimpses,
filling in moments that I’m lacking now.
I can not run fast enough to catch them
this night.
I stop myself in doorways
and on steps,
leaning backward to moments
I feel so far away from now.
They were small then,
I did not realize that I would feel this way.
I want to stay up and talk to you tonight,
about how I feel that I’ve had opportunity for great love and
Those grey glimpses are what will let me know
that I have found it when I finally do.
The thing about these flashbacks,
is that they make me look forward
to what is next.
Now if what is next could only hurry up…
My friend Christine, who is a dog trainer extraordinaire, has been offering one-on-one private sessions, day-training services, and semi-private group obedience classes, tailored to work with any breed and temperament of dog through her awesome company, Downtown Dogs.
At the beginning of this month, Christine took over and became the proud owner of Absolute K-9, located on Kingsway in Vancouver.
A lifetime lover of furry four-legged creatures, Christine started her career back when she was living in star-studded Malibu, California, where she managed a very prestigious Doggy Daycare. Christine amazes me with her incredible understanding of canine behaviour, and intuitive ability to read dog body language and assess individual personalities. I must also make mention of the fact that I have a very special place in my heart for Christine’s own beauty of a pup, little Miss Roxy. There was a time when she spent many hours cuddled up with me, between clients at the hair salon. I miss those days.
Absolute K-9 offers training, grooming and daycare services for all breeds of dogs.
I want to wish Christine a big congratulations and all the best in her new venture. She’s such an inspiration to me and I’m so proud of her. She has chased her dreams and made them come true. There is no doubt in my mind that her business will flourish because she is so passionate about what she does. Yay Christine!
***
In other animal news, the SPCA’s Paws For A Cause is happening next weekend. There is still time to donate. You can support my friends Keira and Matt in their crusade for the animals by visiting their donation page here. They have raised a jaw dropping $6,515.00 to date. High fives all around! Every dollar counts towards helping the animals in our local communities.
Photo: Kourmina on Flickr
If I had to choose my top girl crush of all time, it would, without a doubt be Liv Tyler. I pretty much think that she’s the most gorgeous creature alive, not to mention seemingly down to earth and totally cool. I’ve wished that I could be best friends with her since I was about 14 years old. Stealing Beauty remains one of my favourite films, as it impacted me so profoundly at a most significant time in my life. Like many other girls my age, I have also watched Empire Records more times than I can count and one time, I wore tiny sweaters with plaid skirts and boots around school trying to look even half as hot as Ms. Tyler did in that movie. She has this larger-than-life, movie star beauty but yet, she seems like a pretty regular and well adjusted person at the same time. It’s like she’s completely unaffected by the fact that she’s gifted with the perfect lips of her rock star father and the curvaceous body of her one time Playboy playmate mother.
“There is no definition of beauty, but when you can see someone’s spirit coming through, something unexplainable, that’s beautiful to me.” Liv Tyler
Photo Credit: Hector Vallenilla/Pacific Coast News: Fame for People
I also have to admire her self-confidence and the fact that she doesn’t submit to the demands of the industry to be extremely thin. Liv looks gorgeous and obviously she feels comfortable in her skin. She’s proof that women can look beautiful without being size zero. Whether she’s hanging out with her son, smiling on the red carpet, walking her pooch Neal on the street, hailing a cab or gracing the cover of a magazine, Liv always looks stunning. Narrowing down my favourite photos to post along with this entry was not an easy task. In my opinion, a style icon is someone who has unique and individual style. I definitely think that Liv has a look and style that is all her own. She mixes it up, and easily goes from casual to glamourous, looking comfortable and very much ‘herself’ either way.
Note: I also discovered this little site called iDressup. I subsequently spent far too much time playing around on it.
**Photos in this post are not property of Work In Progress. The images above have been taken from various websites. If your photo has not been credited and you would like it to be, please e-mail me.**
Photo: keepinitcheezy on Flickr
…and I know that I’m not the only one. I also love products- especially all natural ones that I can use in the bath tub. Relaxing is something that has never come easy for me. Letting go of tension and allowing myself to unwind prove to be quite difficult for this easily stressed out chica; however, I’ve recently been taught a thing or two about some of the benefits of essential oils and holistic aromatherapy.
Bath time has always been an important ritual for me. Sometimes it feels like the tub is the only place where I can get away from the chaos of my life. I often find that a leisurely soak in a nice, warm bath with a scented salt or oil can actually help reduce my level of stress. A bath can rejuvenate me, make me feel better able to cope with life’s demands and actually lead to making me feel less overwhelmed by anxiety and pressure. Another benefit of literally washing away the tension of the day is the ability to enjoy a more restful night’s sleep (which as you all know, can be somewhat of a problem for me every now and then).
After enjoying some delicious sushi with my Mom on the holiday Monday, we made our way to TAP [website] in Fort Langley, so that she could replenish her soap supply. I’ve long seen these products in my parents’ bathroom, and used some of them while visiting, but I hadn’t yet checked out the store myself. It seems that since discovering this gem of a line, my family will not use any other kind of soap.
Upon entering, I was promptly offered a cup of organic lavender tea by a pretty woman with a warm and welcoming smile. My eyes lit up as I wandered around, surrounded by a plethora of all natural bath and beauty products. The shop carries, among other goodies (such as darling nighties and pretty jewelery), essential oils, candles and sea salts plus organic teas and synergies, all of which aid in holistic healing.
I learned that the TAP product line is made on their premises. This allows them to ensure the quality and integrity of each item. TAP’s goal was and is to be the main source of therapeutic grade essential oils and aromatherapy products. They are recognized not only as the place to buy quality products, but also one of strong ethical values. TAP suggests taking a holistic approach when seeking treatment for imbalances and choosing to live a more balanced lifestyle. While it is often the experience of physical discomfort that will first prompt a person’s pursuit of holistic healing products, inner wellness and peace are two of the main goals of treatment. You can also choose to relax in the comfort of one of their cozy treatment rooms, complete with a fireplace and old wood floors, in which you may enjoy various spa services and packages including massage, reflexology, facials and much more.
I picked up a bottle of TAP’s Lavender Bubble Bath while I was there and I can’t wait to use it for the first time this evening.
Sometimes we forget how to take care of ourselves, and a bath reminds to take time, meditate and be mindful of our bodies.
Photo: Steve Spotts on Flickr
Basketball is one of my great loves in life. Being that I had already reached almost 5’9″ at 10 years old, I often found myself playing under the hoop “in the paint.” At that age, I was taller than all the other girls, so it was pretty easy for me to tip the ball in off the backboard from that spot, or shoot over top of any opponent, from anywhere on the floor- even if she had her arms stretched out to defend me. I had a good shot, a soft wrist and had perfected my follow through with hours of practice, so I rarely missed. Then, when I started playing at summer camps and in high school against older, taller girls, all of a sudden 5’9″ was on the short side to be playing in that position. I found myself playing against girls that were upwards of 6’4″ down there, so shooting over their heads and hands (no matter how incredible the ark on my shot was) was often an impossibility.
One of my biggest short comings at that point as a ball player was that I had a tendency not to be aggressive enough. I just wasn’t mean enough. I was easily intimidated by the big girls who got in my face. If a girl played me close, bumped me or pushed me a little, I would back right off. That is, until I learned about “posting up.” This term is hoopster language for the little one-on-one battles that I kept avoiding. Then I started to get advice about staying firm and wanting it bad enough. Going straight up or going up strong, and even mixing it up with the big girls.
To “post up” is to establish a position in the low post, the area near the basket below the foul line, usually in order to take advantage of a defender. The offensive player usually faces away from the basket, so that his body can protect the ball from the defender. From this position, options such as spinning or backing down the defender to close in to the basket for better scoring opportunities become available to him. [source]
Here’s what I learned about “posting up…” first, you have to find out where you are. Establish some territory. Take up some space. Back your butt into the other girl. See how much room she’ll give you. Once you know where she is and how much she’ll take, then you’re ready. The first rule in “posting up” is wanting it. Even if your hands are up for the ball, no guard is going to pass it to you unless your face says that you want it. The second rule is not thinking too much. Get ready and go. The longer you wait, the more likely it will be taken away.
To this day, “posting up” is a concept that my Dad and I use as a metaphor when it’s time to take it up a notch in life. “Come on Jen, you just have to post up.” I can hear my Dad saying those words right now. Much like those big girls trying to push me around and throw me off my game down low, life is filled with obstacles and challenges. Instead of getting discouraged, putting my head down and trying to blend in along the sidelines (which is often what seems natural to me if I start getting down on myself), I need to instead get into position, be tenacious, and figure out a way to put that ball in the damn hole-or reach whatever goal is at hand.
I’m at a point in my life right now, where the importance of “posting up” has become abundantly clear once again. I want it, so I have to fight for it and make it happen.
