Oh Dear, Country Wrong

For some reason Blogger decided to delete the entire post I wrote last night.  Not cool, internet.

Here's the gist of it-

Gywneth Paltrow is starring in a movie Country Strong, which comes out first week of January (clunker week).  She is totally weird casting for the part, rant, rant, rant about accents etc.  Her voice sounds fine, but she went to Spence!

It won't embed properly, so please go here.

Who do you think would be better? How great would Miss Cutie Patootie, Rachel McAdams, be??

Cult Classics

Do y'all remember watching the same movies over and over again in early high school?  We would go out for a little bit- I can't for the life of me remember what in the world we would do (hang out at people's houses, I suppose) then all of girls would spend the night at one girl's house and watch movies.  Grease was a perennial favorite, which we watched constantly.  The other three were not quite such, um, classics. 

Dazed and Confused- Texas, last day of school, seventies and pot.  Love Parker Posey in this- "Fry like little piggies, bitches!"  It just made you want to haze people, no?

"SENIORS! SENIORS! S-E-N-I-O-R-S!  SENIORS! SENIORS! Seniors are the best!"

My "character" was played by Joey Lauren Adams.  Basically she was me because she was a squinty blonde with a squeaky voice.  MOH was Parker Posey's character- guess you were mean in high school, MOH?  I was Frenchie in Grease- squeaky voice again.

Have y'all heard this weird story about Jason London (aka Randall "Pink" Floyd)'s twin brother, Jeremy (who was never as good looking IMHO)?  There was a lot of smoking in the bathroom at my high school, just like the movie.  (Ahem, there was probably some pot smoking going on in my high school's bathroom just like the movie as well- I don't know from personal experience, Mama!).

Ah, then there was Mallrats.  Back when Kevin Smith was still funny, Shannen Doherty had a super cute shag hairdo, and motorcycle boots which I coveted with all of my super tough fourteen year old heart.  Oooh, Jeremy London was in this one!   The London brothers were so hot in the early-mid-nineties! And Joey Lauren Adams is in it also!

Now Mallrats captures that weird moment of 1994-1996 so well- those pictures that would turn 3D if you squinted at them, flannel, mini-florals, and the concept of mall rats in general.  Do people still just hang out in malls?

Ah, then when it was time for something scary-

"Mr. Walk-a, I'm here for your daughter."  So many good nineties clichés in this one too- I mean the rave in the warehouse in Seattle?  Incredible.  Hahahaha, when Marky Mark pounds his chest to make it look like Nicole's dad punched him?  Hilarious. 

Wonder why Reese never discusses this movie when she talks about her early work?  Maybe because she gets a hand up her skirt riding a roller coaster and trying to look orgasmic instead of uncomfortable since she's in public while a cover of Wild Horses plays?  Or maybe it's the dog head (shudder) that comes through the doggie door when Marky Mark and his Funky Bunch attack the house.  Unfortunately, Nicole gave him the code so he could swipe her v-card while her parents were out of town.  Don't you think you would be able to stay awake waiting for such a momentous occasion?  Such a great movie.  Alyssa Milano, the best friend?  Such a beee-yotch!  Never liked her since Fear.

So what were your repeat horrible yet wonderful high school flicks?  So many to choose from, but these were definitely my favorite.

Beach Blanket Bingo

So I have been thinking about this swimsuit from Modcloth for a couple weeks now.

The question is- will I look adorably Betty Draper and classic like these ladies?

Of course Grace and Marilyn make white bathing suits look easy.

Or will I look like an errant, pale, tattooed hipster that has somehow wandered onto the Tennessee River?

Thoughts?  The high waisted aspect looks very conducive to drinking beer and eating carbs without having to watch the poochiness of one's tummy regions, no?

The Uniform

This is what my closet currently looks like- including Hubs struggling to find his shoes and get out alive.  I want to streamline, and condense to a basic uniform.  I love clothes (and unfortunately for the bank account, my closet, and Hubs, having lots of them), but I also love the idea of a uniform. 

Summertime it's easy, and I have perfected my uniform- dress, classic jean jacket for overly air-conditioned areas, Jack Rodgers or wedge espadrilles.  Done and done.  (Will it ever be summer?  I'm dying over here).

Carolina Herrera is the queen of the uniform- crisp white button up, and a full skirt.

Classic, stylish, and beautiful. 

I read in Vogue once that Lee Radziwill, sister of Jackie O., limited her wardrobe to black and white with occasional splashes of red.  I love color, so I could never do this, but I love the idea of such classic simplicity.

Do you have a uniform?  Go to look?

It's Ball Time

So, after a post where I talk about not wearing makeup for four months, let's talk makeup.  Since y'all have helped me choose my dress-

Hair-

Now it's time to talk makeup- I love a red lip like Michelle is sporting above, but the thing is I never remember to reapply lipstick.  Just this morning I rocked out Goodbye Earl by the Dixie Chicks, complete with interpretative dancing perfected freshman year of college, and not performed since.  Why I can remember all those lyrics and gestures, and not to put on lipstick is a mystery best left unsolved. So that leaves me dramatic eye.  What do y'all think about these?

1.

2. 

3.

What do y'all think? Should I take these pics in, and which one do you like best?

Childhood Fashion Icons

While perusing my J. Crew catalog the other evening (that travesty is another post altogether- BOLO in next couple days for it), I started thinking about my childhood fashion icons.  Or rather, I suppose in today's parlance, my tween fashion icons.  After moving past Rainbow Brite as my muse, I desired to be the most fashionable 10 year-old in my class, emulating these lovely ladies.

 Clarissa

Can I tell you how much I wanted a phone like hers? Covered in junk, it was my dream phone in 4th or 5th grade.  I tried making one like it to no avail.  However, I rocked that look in the top right hand corner, sometimes with 3(!) layers of scrunched socks in various colors.

So fashion forward.

Next up is Blossom (rather more specifically I was into Six- she was much more me). And yes, I wore hats.

The bike shorts- yeah, there were a lot of those in the preteen Spice and Sass closet.

And finally the ultimate-

Lisa Turtle

Yeah, she's short, sassy, and still one of my style icons.  I mean hike up my rehearsal dinner dress about six inches, and it's a Lisa masterpiece-

I was never a Jessie girl for obvious reasons (too many button-ups and strident), nor Kelly (seemed fake nice and selfish, plus has Felicity/Joey Potter syndrome, aka whining about how many boys like you),  Lisa was my girl.  Am I alone?  Who was your Saved By the Bell alter ego?  I won't judge if it's Kelly (pinky swear!), because if you can rock too many boys liking you through your awkward stage, more power to you!

Do you think it's posts like these that make Hubs say my blog is kind of middle-school girlish?

Hair Do's or "Does your dress have to go over your head? "*

So lest y'all think with all this book talk, Spice and Sass is going egghead, today we are talking hair.

So my big event is coming up, and I have listening to my commenters, and went with the blue dress.  Plus, now I can eat more chocolate cake, due its more forgiving nature in the tummy regions.  So now it's time for hair! I never wear my hair up (well, except when I oversleep and pull my tangled tresses into a semblance of a bun for work).  However, with the back of the dress, I think my hair should be in some sort of up-do.
Refresher-

Here's what I am leaning towards-

What do y'all think?  I am wearing big dramatic earrings, asouth sea pearl cocktail ring, and a couple big bracelets.  Here's the earrings-

f I did do half up I like this look from the SAG Awards-

Thoughts?  Ideas? I need help.

*Once again, if you have never heard this line, we are no longer friends.  This one is a bit tougher though.

Ooh, I have a very special happy for y'all tomorrow.  I miscounted the Fridays in January so it's been extended though tomorrow.  Here's a hint-

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Odds and Ends

1.  I don't care about watching stuff in HD at all.  I find the channels confusing, and like to stick with my normal order.  However, this drives Hubs nuts, so whenever I hear him coming I quickly switch the channel to HD, reminiscent of when I used to be on alert for parentals while watching Salt and Pepa's "Let's Talk About Sex" video in 5th grade.  Last night, though, I made no attempt to switch to HD while watching th Biggest Loser.  Hubs started to complain, then took one look at the jiggling as the weigh-ins commenced.  Yep, no HD for BL necessary.  Some things should be a little blurry in my book.

2.  What is up with Brad and Angie?  There was such a hullabaloo then crickets.  I guess that is an excellent PR machine at work.  Remember during last year's awards season, when Ryan Secrest had to chase after them?  I think that was kind of dick of Brad and Angie- the man is just doing his job!  It's not like they are strangers to the PR machine- remember those pics of them on an isolated Kenyan beach that a paparazzi magically was there to capture? Yeah right.

3.  I really detest people talking about politics in social situations.  I find it so distasteful and tend to shut down when it happens.

4.  This teen pregnancy moment that is happening is very entertaining to me.  Our high school had a daycare and a teen parenting class.  Abby Dids took it a few times (or was it just once?- correct me girl!), although obviously while a teen, she was not a parent.  Maybe that is why she is such a good mama now!

And that's pretty much what I have been contemplating.  Any deep thoughts going on with y'all?

Why I Can't Watch BL Until They Lose

So when I am watching Biggest Loser this early in the season, it makes me (a) exercise less and (b) eat more crap. Until they get to under 400 lbs, I feel so thin comparatively that I convince myself that I am anorexic and need to skip the gym and eat chocolate cake instead.  Because I'm shaky due to lack of food (I had a Petro at JL meeting thirty minutes prior).  So no more Biggest Loser for me tonight (probably a good thing since I have work to do).  I'm not scared of you Jillian. (Total lie, by the way, I'm quaking).

Tara- what a badass!

So realizing that I have to be presented in a clingy red dress to a bunch of people in a month, this feeling super skinny when I am decidedly not, has got to stop.  So started tomorrow- it's detox time.  I am all abou thte detox- me and Gywneth are best buds like that.  Until, Chick-Fil-A comes out with a spicy chicken sandwich.  I'm all over that.  I don't think Ms. Paltrow would be feeling it as much. 

Anyway, this detox is from Body and Soul Magazine (part of Martha's empire), and you can find it here. Starting it tomorrow lasting until the wedding Saturday, when I dash my body's newly cleansed state with mass amounts of vino. Sorry, Gwynnie.

Clarification- Although I love you ladies commenting that I am skinny (because who doesn't like that), this was not a plea for compliments (although, of course I will always take them).  I just want to fit into said clingy red dress, and eating slabs of chocolate cake while watching trash tv is not helpful for squeezing into sex bomb slinky gowns.

Baby and Casseroles on the Way!

ALE (her baby shower is pictured here) is having her baby today!  YAY!  Some of the girls have scheduled everyone to have a night to bring dinner to the new parents until the end of January.  When CM had little MC I brought Turkey and Artichoke Stuffed Shells.  I've discussed my hatred of Giada before, and I cringe to admit that this recipe is hers.  However, it's delicious, hard to screw up, and great for any sort of illness, or new baby because you can stick half in the freezer for later.  It's reasonably healthy, yet gets the guy approval- I made it for my father in law when he had surgery, and he and Hubs love it.  So here's Giada's (ugh) recipe.  At least you don't have to listen to her randomly pepper her speech with words pronounced in an Italian accent.  It serves 6-8.

Ingredients


1 (12-ounce) box jumbo pasta shells (recommended: Barilla)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 large yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 pound ground turkey
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus 1/2 teaspoon
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus 1/4 teaspoon
1 (8 to 10-ounce) package frozen artichokes, thawed and coarsely chopped
1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions
5 cups Arrabbiata Sauce, recipe follows
1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella (about 5 ounces)

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and partially cook until tender but still very firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 4 to 5 minutes. Drain pasta.

Meanwhile, in a large heavy skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and the garlic and cook until the onions are soft and starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the ground turkey, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is slightly golden and cooked through. Add the artichoke hearts and stir to combine. Remove from heat and let cool.

In a large bowl combine the cooled turkey mixture with the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, basil, parsley, and the remaining salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
To stuff the shells, cover the bottom of a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking dish with 1 cup of Arrabbiata sauce. Take a shell in the palm of your hand and stuff it with a large spoonful of turkey mixture, about 2 tablespoons. Place the stuffed shell in the baking dish. Continue filling the shells until the baking dish is full, about 24 shells. Drizzle the remaining Arrabbiata Sauce over the shells, top with the grated mozzarella. If freezing, cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 1 day and up to 1 month.

To bake, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bake until the shells are warmed through and the cheese is beginning to brown, about 60 minutes (20 minutes if shells are unfrozen.)


Arrabbiata Sauce:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 ounces sliced pancetta, coarsely chopped
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
2 garlic cloves, minced
5 cups jarred or fresh marinara sauce

Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the pancetta and sauté until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté until tender, about 1 minute. Add the marinara sauce and red pepper flakes and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and let cool until ready to use.

So if you are making this for a new mama, I might leave out the red pepper flakes if they are nursing- I err on the side of caution since I have never been in that position.
However, the question remains- real or not?  She is from L.A. and tiny everywhere else, yet they look real.  What do y'all think? (Maybe Hubs will like this type of posts better than the clothes I am buying type of post)

Hmmm- enhanced or au naturale? 

I always wanted to be a serious writer but. . .

This spread from Access Atlanta of Emily Giffin's style gives me a wee case of the envies. Also, random side note- it was photographed by a friend from high school.  I had her fake ID to make me 18 so I could go to clubs and hear bands.  Rockin.

I like the things inside this closet.  And her bracelet.

This dress is Dolce and Gabanna.  Bestselling author of enjoyable pastel covered books is sounding better and better.

I dig this outfit, but I don't think my bosses' would.  Ms. Giffin and I have so much in common- we're from the South, she used to be a lawyer, and I am a lawyer, we have blonde hair, she lives in Atlanta, I used to live in Atlanta, um,  . . .we are both married. . .  Anyway, I think I should write some clever chick lit and have a closet full of designer duds, and a darling home, don't y'all?

 

Don't Be Fooled by the Rocks that I Got!

Please notice that Skeletor (aka Mr. J. Lo) is having to hold back said  Miss Lo. as she prepares to cut that Kardashian bee-yotch for attempting to steal her look.  Does J. Lo even deign to know who Kim is?  Probably not til this event, when J. Lo had to beat her.  Too bad Marc Anthony held her back.

I'm not worried though.  I remember Jenny who's from the Bronx.  She still knows someone from the block who's not scared.  Fly girls 4-eva!