In an attempt to forget about my throbbing knee cap last night while I was watching The Grammy’s, I spent some time putting together images of a few things that have been on my mind lately. Inspiration is everywhere. Sometimes it’s subtle, sometimes it’s overt.
This weekend when I was organizing one of my closets, I unearthed a box containing all of the old CD mixes that I made in my early twenties. Most of them weren’t labeled, but even the ones that were didn’t indicate more than the month/year or “J-Sto’s Mix” …so I just played them all, all the way through. Nostalgia. So many memories. Songs strike chords. When has it ever been good when it doesn’t feel right? Except now. This is my new sense of balance and boundaries. I think I understand. Genuinely.
I wanted to share this horoscope that I came across. I do believe that there is some wisdom in horoscopes. I often read them all- even the ones for the other signs. Sometimes there is very good insight mixed in with all the generalizations and bullshit. And more than anything, there’s always a little bit of hope, and who doesn’t need that?
If you’re fully alive, the answer to the question, “What is the meaning of life?” keeps evolving. Last year’s truth can’t possibly be true for the person you are changing into. So what’s the answer for you these days? Only you can decide, of course, but I’ll offer a suggestion … “The meaning of life is creative love. Not love as an inner feeling, not as a private sentimental emotion, but love as a dynamic power moving out into the world and doing something original.”
Creative love sounds perfect to me.
Maybe tomorrow there will be fireworks.
I always hope for a happy ending.
How crazy is that?
Photos in this post are not property of Work In Progress.
Remember when I told you that little Daisy Lowe was going to be the new face of Marc? Well may I present to you some of the flesh-friendly photos featuring the Brit “It” girl shot by Juergen Teller.
I had been particularly excited about this campaign because as you can see, the circumference of Daisy’s limbs leave little confusion as to which are arms and which are legs. I must admit that I am a little on the disappointed side, however, that this is decidedly less quirky than Juergen’s other Marc ads, like the ones featuring Miss Posh aka VB. Now those were cheeky. (I added them below just for you, Mel!) Daisy is a gorgeous woman and without a doubt, the photos are hot.
Perhaps the fact that these ads are more demure is a sign of the tough economic times? Rather than daring shoppers to wear his clothes, Marc is simply trying to show them that they can.
Photos: Courtesy of Marc by Marc Jacobs
1) I talk about Monica, Chandler, Ross, Rachel, Joey and Phoebe like they’re my real friends.
2) I love doing impressions of people. My dream job would be to write for and star on Saturday Night Live. I work on perfecting new characters all the time.
3) I love ice. Crushed is my favourite. I wish I had one of those fridges that makes and crushes ice for you. That would be unreal.
4) I’ve got one hell of a jump shot, and I’ll take you down in a game of 21 any day.
5) One day I will write a screenplay.
6) I can’t do cartwheels.
7) I write song lyrics, quotes, book titles and author’s names on post-its so that I will remember them. I usually end up losing the post-its and then finding them months later in random places, which is kind of fun.
8) I sing at the top of my lungs when I’m alone in my car. I prefer to drive alone for this very reason. I won’t sing out loud if someone’s in the car with me.
9) I’m fiercely protective of my friends and family. They are my world.
10) I have a crush on Brody Jenner…yes, even after watching ‘Bromance.’ I can’t help it. He’s a babe.
11) When I was in grade 9, my basketball coach Mr. Inkster nicknamed me “The Host” after the monkey in Outbreak because I kept getting sick that year. It stuck. Well, maybe just between Cindy and I. He nicknamed her “The Custodian” and I won’t let that die either. This leads me to number 12…
12) I’m a big nickname person. I often call people by shortened versions of their actual name or a completely different name altogether. Maybe this is why I really like it when people call me “Jen.” It could also be why I don’t find it weird that my Dad sometimes calls me “Francine” or “Gloria.”
13) I enjoy a good pinot noir. It makes me warm and talky.
14) I could write a biography of Marilyn Monroe. I’ve read at least 10 books about her. I sorta feel like we were best friends in a past life.
15) Make me laugh and you’re in the good books.
16) I believe that everything happens for a reason.
17) I adore my little apartment in the city, and the fact that it’s a stone’s throw from the beach. I could spend hours amusing myself in and around it, all alone.
18) I’m a fast drinker. No matter what it is, chances are I’ll be getting a re-fill before you’ve taken three sips of yours.
19) I remember most occasions and events based on what I was wearing. I also use my wardrobe as a reference point in trying to determine what year something happened.
20) I don’t like to be photographed in the same outfit more than once (yes, I realize that I’m not Paris Hilton, and the paps are not on my tail…but still, I have a thing about it…)
21) My parents are my heros. I feel like the luckiest girl in the whole, wide world to have such an incredible and supportive family.
22) I think that music makes the world go ’round. I especially enjoy songs featuring acoustic guitars.
23) I love people watching. Sometimes I create entire fictional stories about people I don’t even know. Often I’ll give them names, which later turn into abbreviations or code names i.e. “Hairy Back Guy” becomes “HBG.”
24) I buy too many magazines and I want to keep them all. I will re-read them a zillion times, over and over again.
25) I live to inspire and be inspired.
Every woman has at least once in her life been on a quest for her very own perfect mascara. I seem to be able to find one that works for a while and then suddenly, I’m not so impressed anymore. The last one that I fell in lust with was DiorShow. Since that affair ended about two weeks ago, I jumped at the chance to try out something new by L’Oréal. Truth be told, I’m a self professed product junkie who will try anything once, but I’m also extremely loyal to the brands and products that I truly love.
So last week, I received a box of lovely goodies to test out, including L’Oréal’s new Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara.
Being that I’ve tried nearly every mascara under the sun at one point or another, I couldn’t wait to see what this stuff was all about.
Here’s the deal:
It’s a two step process. The tube of mascara is double-ended, with step-one in the white coloured side and step-two in the red coloured side. It’s a little shocking to open the tube and realize that the step-one product itself is actually white. The step-two side is your traditional mascara colour.
Step-one is designed to fortify and lengthen your lashes. This “basecoat” contains microfibers and ceramedes which are supposed to extend lashes for a longer, more lush look. Letting the lashes dry for a few minutes before applying step-two is key. I learned this the hard way. Running late this morning (as usual), I rushed the second step and my long, straight lashes clumped up and looked absolutely hideous. I ended up having to completely re-do my eye makeup. (Bonus: No makeup remover needed, it easily washes right off with just warm water!) One more tip: it’s important to apply it in a room that’s well lit– because should you try to do it in dim light, it would be very easy to neglect to reach the colour wand to the very tips of your lashes. They become almost invisible once step-one is coating them.
When used correctly (and providing you have time to do both steps right), this product does result in fuller, thicker, sexy lashes. Overall, I was impressed. My lashes were fuller and longer! Usually it’s difficult to find a product that delivers both–so you end up choosing if you want thick lashes or long lashes. With this, you really can have both. Plus, the primer makes it stay put. That means that I can be a happy girl, rather than a confused raccoon wondering why her makeup has given her rings.
Meet the fresh-faced (and often foul-mouthed) Peaches Geldof. She may be known as a socialite, but she certainly has more going on than the next party. She’s an up-and-coming fashion icon in the UK/broadcaster/journalist. She has been racking up serious ‘It Girl’ mileage for quite some time, thanks to her dramatic fashion and perpetual “wild child” headlines in the British dailies.
The daughter of musician/humanitarian Bob Geldof (he created Live Aid and Live 8) and the late Paula Yates, it’s no wonder that Peaches always looks like the coolest girl at a concert. She goes from blonde to brunette in the blink of an eye, is always adorned with unique accessories, and has stylish sidekick pals like Daisy Lowe and Lily Allen.
At age 15, she wrote for The Daily Telegraph representing the voice of youth. At 16 she produced and wrote a documentary for Sky One about teenage sex & angst called Inside the Teenage Mind, and in 2006 lived in Morocco with a Muslim teenager to make a documentary for Channel 4 called A Beginner’s Guide to Islam.
Whether she’s DJ-ing with Fifi Brown, burning up the dance floor at a Boombox party or rubbing shoulders with the A-list backstage at Glastonbury, Peaches always looks hot. Is it her eternal nonchalance or just a genetic disposition to cool? It’s hard to say. When asked about her interest in fashion, Peaches said, “I love the way you can express yourself through your clothes. I’m quite schizophrenic with mine.” I love her hippy headbands, cute beanies and high waisted skirts. Her style is an eclectic mix of chain store, vintage and high end. In fact, Peaches herself is the perfect little mix between grungy rocker and Lolita. She always manages to find a nice balance of the two in her outfits. I think she’s just delightful.
**The photos in this post are not property of Work In Progress. If your photo has not been credited and you would like it to be, please e-mail me.**
Filed under: fashion, juergen teller, pamela anderson, ss09, vivienne westwood
I never could have guessed that Vivienne Westwood would choose our little Pammy to be the face of her next ad campaign; however, it seems that the unlikely collaboration did not come entirely out of the blue.
Pamela Anderson has long been a fan of Westwood’s curve-enhancing designs and when the two met at designer’s spring/summer Red Label show in London last autumn, they hit it off immediately. It’s true, Pam doesn’t have the typical look of a fashion model with her messy blonde locks, pencil thin eyebrows and heavily made up face (not to mention those big knockers), but this collaboration really worked like a charm. It was always going to be tongue in cheek. Vivienne’s designs are all about sex and the feminine form. Who better to convey that than Pam? It was photographed near Pamela’s Malibu trailer by Juergen Teller, the same genius who shoots most of Marc Jacobs’ ad campaigns.
Westwood has most definitely struck gold with this one. The shoot’s models include the designer herself, plus her husband Andrea Kronthaler, and Pamela- the center of attention, of course. In typical Pammy style the photos all just ooze sexiness. They shot the whole thing in one day- it also happened to be Election Day in the US.
Perhaps my favourite photo is the one of Vivienne and Pam celebrating Obama’s win (above).
I know I’m not the only one with a huge soft spot for Pam and a big heart on for Vivienne Westwood too. I’m sorry. I just can’t help gushing over them and these photos.
Photos: Style Frizz
It’s super easy to lose motivation during these winter months, so I thought it was time to turn up the heat! When I heard about Team Hot Years, started by Fo’ Sho Shawna and a crew of other totally hot babes, I knew that I had to pick up a Nike+ iPod sport kit, create a mini (to look just like me) and kick my hinny into high gear. The sensor fits into your shoe, the other part fits into your iPod Nano and together they motivate you to get your butt out there and run like the wind by tracking your workouts, telling you how far and how fast you’ve gone, and how many calories you’ve burned plus allowing you to join up with teams and create challenges for one another. After each workout, you upload your results, and then voila!…you can share your progress with your friends and teammates on Nikeplus.com then celebrate your accomplishments (or trash talk your competition). You can even download Nike+ Coached Workouts on iTunes, and let a pro like Lance Armstrong tell you when to speed up or slow down.
I completed my first workout with my new Nike+ this afternoon. It was more of a “test” than an actual run. I wanted to figure out how it all works before our big challenge starts tomorrow, so I set out for a walk in the sunshine, which ended up being just over 6 kilometers. I’m going to become obsessed with this thing. I can feel it already. This was also my first workout in my new shoes. The air cushion support in them is absolutely awesome.
I’ve really missed running. For years, I ran religiously. I trained for races and set goals for myself, taking great pride in achieving them. In addition to Shawna, who killed it in her first half marathon back in December in Vegas, Miss Melissa has also been a serious source of inspiration to me as I follow her runs and workouts via her blog and Twitter. Nothing pushes you to get out there more than seeing your friends’ success. That’s the whole idea behind the Nike + program. And it works.
I’ve always loved running. It’s something you can do by yourself, and under your own power. You can go in any direction, as fast or slow as you want, fighting the wind if you feel like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs
You can meet the ladies of Team Hot Years over here in the mini aquarium on Shawna’s blog.
Meet my mini below:
