Photo: Hotel Lyric on Flickr
The other day, someone asked me the most amazing question. I haven’t stopped thinking about it. This person said,“You could have one solid relationship for the rest of your life-stable, reliable and calm, but not passionate. Or you could have a bunch of relationships for the rest of your life, and most of them would end in heartbreak, but you’d have had incredible and passion-filled adventures…which would you choose?” I think many of us get trapped into thinking that we need to find our knight in shining armour who’s also a reliable, stable force. I guess it’s that need to feel like we’ll always be loved: to feel safe. I’ll be honest, commitment has always made me a little nervous. I tend to be more comfortable with having an adoring peanut gallery. (Keep the letters and cards coming…) Nevertheless, I am devoted and loyal to those I love.
When thinking about this particular question, the movie Vicky Christina Barcelona‘s conviction that it is better to have made passionate love and almost died at the hands of a jealous lover than never to have loved at all, comes to mind. Obviously that’s extreme; however, I do think that heartbreak is part of life. The lessons learned through my own personal heartache have been paramount.
I suppose my track record speaks for itself. Up until this point I have, for the most part, chosen passion over logic. At some point, I hope to strike a balance. Ultimately, I kind of want it all. Is that too much to ask?
Okay, it’s your turn…so tell me:
You could have one solid relationship for the rest of your life- stable, reliable and calm, but not passionate. Or you could have a bunch of relationships for the rest of your life, and most of them would end in heartbreak, but you’d have had incredible and passion-filled adventures…which would you choose?
Photo: Just Jared
One more thing to look forward to next month- the lovely Jennifer Aniston will grace the cover of Vogue magazine’s December 2008 issue looking beachy, bronzed and beautiful. I can’t wait to read the article and check out the rest of the photo shoot.
On Tuesday night, future First Lady Michelle Obama wore a red and black chiffon Narcisco Rodriguez dress from the spring 2009 collection, which (despite criticism and mixed reviews) I thought was beautiful, bold and absolutely perfect. She paired the dress with a black cardigan and kitten heels, adding a touch of sparkle with diamond bangles and earrings. Her daughters, Malia and Sasha were adorably coordinated in red and black. Is it shallow to be obsessed with Michelle Obama’s wardrobe? Maybe, but I can’t help it.
With her classic and sophisticated style, Michelle Obama exudes charm and comes across professional and sleek. It is her wit and intellect that make her truly extraordinary-and nothing is more important to Michelle than being a good mother. She works hard everyday to instill in their girls the same values that her and Barack were raised with. Her fab fashion sense is just icing on the cake. Michelle’s attire has come into focus since she hit the campaign trail, and now the race is on to determine which designer will dress Obama for the inauguration in January.
Michelle’s pitch is far from sophisticated, playing heavily on her humble beginnings and traditional values: “I was raised in a working-class family on the south Side of Chicago. That’s how I identify myself, a working-class girl,” she has told the voters, time after time.
With her 5’11″ supermodel height, she dares to straighten up and throw those shoulders back. She likes fashion but she doesn’t let fashion wear her.
On the heels of Sarah Palin’s $150,000 wardrobe debacle, Obama styled herself in a bright yellow J. Crew ensemble, which cost less than $400, for her guest spot on “The Tonight Show.” Michelle Obama has also been wearing some relatively new names on the fashion scene, including Chicago designer Maria Pinto. Michelle’s penchant for sexy but safe pieces is what makes Pinto’s collection a perfect fit.
A lot of Michelle’s other fashion strategies are detailed, such as changing up outfits with new accessories (belt, brooches and pins are a regular part of her repertoire), mixing and matching separates, combining high and low — tricks many well-dressed women know, to be sure, but that few pull off with as much success. She frequently dresses in pieces from places like The Gap and H&M, because she knows that every outfit doesn’t have to be a masterpiece created by the likes of Oscar de la Renta (not that a splash of Oscar ever hurts!)
Not since the days of Jackie Kennedy has there been such fashion focus on a First Lady, and for good reason. Michelle Obama has proven repeatedly, that she has what it takes to make it to fashion icon status.
Photos courtesy of Vogue.com
Photo: Ten Gossip
In an election otherwise full of great triumphs, the gay rights movement suffered a stunning defeat. California voters approved Proposition 8, putting a ban on same-sex marriages that overrides a recent court decision legalizing them, and throwing into doubt the unions of about 18,000 same-sex couples who wed during the last 4 1/2 months. The measure’s most fervent proponents believed that nothing less than the future of traditional families was at stake, while opponents believed that they were fighting for the fundamental right of gay people to be treated equally under the law.
I just don’t get it. In my opinion, Prop 8 isn’t about “restoring” or “protecting” marriage. If that were the case, there wouldn’t be such things as divorces or second, third and fourth marriages. Hate-mongers and the righteously confused continue to think that the “gay agenda” is to indoctrinate and recruit. There is only one subject on their minds when they mull over this misguided fear, and it certainly is not marriage. It’s not the idea of love, family or companionship either. It’s sex. Why do (most) people want to get married? To spend the rest of their life with someone they love. What makes 2 men or 2 women wanting this different from a man and a woman who do? In my eyes, what the passing of Prop 8 does preach is the tolerance of discrimination. Love cannot be legislated and discrimination should not be written into the Constitution of the State of California.
How can a country take such a huge leap forward in equality and yet step back from it at the same time? Thoughts?
Raul posted an entry on this topic as well. Please read it here.
UPDATE: Read Melissa Etheridge’s thoughts here on The Daily Beast.
I’m not sure if it’s on account of daylight savings or what, but I have felt completely exhausted and unmotivated this week. It’s all that I can do to get through the work day being productive and I have had absolutely no desire whatsoever to be social in the evenings like, at all. Apparently, I’m in hermit mode. It’s not even the autumn blues. I don’t feel sad or depressed. I’m not down in the dumps or emo- I’ve just been needing some time by myself. My evenings have featured bubble baths, mugs of hot tea, duvets, pajama pants, popcorn for dinner, season one and two of Grey’s Anatomy-every episode of which makes me cry pretty much uncontrollably at one point or another. I just lay there and let the tears stream down my cheeks. I really love that show, especially the older episodes. Season two is my favourite. I just adore every character. I haven’t even been able to write a decent entry to post here for days. It hasn’t been for lack of ideas or writer’s block- I just don’t feel inspired. Now, it’s time for me to get back my Grey’s dvd collection.
Like most everyone else, I’m glued to the election results tonight. I’m nervous, but I’m praying and God, I hope I’m not disappointed.
Photo: beastandbean on Flickr
Photo: Gwyneth Paltrow on Flickr
Soon you will be able to take a look into the mind, closet, and kitchen of Gwyneth Paltrow. She is starting a blog! And it’s called, um, GOOP. It’s unclear at this point what exactly the name means.
The site is apparently set to launch soon.
“My life is good because I am not passive about it. I want to nourish what is real, and I want to do it without wasting time. I love to travel, to cook, to eat, to take care of my body and mind, to work hard. I love being a mother who has to overcome my bad qualities to be a good mother. I love being in spaces that are clean and feel nice.” Gwyneth Paltrow
It appears that this will be a place online where Gwyneth can share recipes and stories about her life, her thoughts about the best products and services for women and mothers — like a mommy-blog, but with a touch of celebrity.
While I was skeptical at first, I must admit that I’m now kind of charmed. The first e-newsletter includes an easy-to-wear fashion tip — variations on the grey tank and leggings uniform, topped with a sweet little pea coat. Plus, she models all the adorable outfits herself. The latest “nourishes the inner aspect” with sage advice from the likes of Deepak Chopra and Sufi Shaikh Kabir Helminski. Next time, the pedigreed blonde promises recipes for vegan pancakes and tuna sandwiches.
I’m definitely curious to see where this goes. What do you think? Will you check her site out?
Halloween is absolutely my favourite day of the year at work. Everybody in the office dresses up for our notorious costume contest. Today was no exception. In fact, I’m quite sure that this year’s costumes are some of the best ones yet. I work with the greatest group of people. I decided to go as “Snow White” this year. Any excuse to be a brunette for the day, really. Much of the first hour of work was spent running around, laughing, checking out everybody’s outfits and taking a zillion photos. Basically, we had a total blast. You can check out more photos of my creative co-workers here.
Tonight, back to my goldilocks and happily out of my costume. I am quite content to be spending a quiet night in by myself with plenty of popcorn and movies on hand. Chances are, I’ll be asleep by 9pm. Whatever your plans are today, Happy Halloween!
