Well, sorta. Cuponk is a game from Hasbro that comes with a ping pong ball (two, actually - guess they were feeling generous) and a decorated cup. When you sink the ball in the cup, the cup lights up and plays a "victory sound" to let you know you've got your shot in. That's kinda cool, actually. Hmm, actually, I'm kinda into the El Campeon lucha libra version (above, far left).
But do you think it smacks a bit too much of the binge-drinking beer pong? Don't get me wrong - I do enjoy some pong - but for children ages nine and up?? Yiiiikes.
Is anyone else disturbed that Hasbro is now selling beer pong to kids? "Get 'em started young!" I guess, eh? Also hilarious: Bam Margera is the spokesman. Yeah, 'cuz this is age appropriate.
Uhhh, I may be a touch late here, but I wanted to wish you all a happy holidays! (Let's just pretend that we're not in a totally different year by now, okay?). I hope you all had a wonderful Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and the like. B and I traveled to Phila (sadly, no cheesesteaks this time around); hauled gifts; exchanged said gifts; and did a lot of relaxing with family. 'Twas lurvely. How was yours?
And before I forget, I have one special holiday shout-out in the form of the coolest pic ever. Val, this one's for you: Blazow. (Yup, that's a word.) You can thank me later. ;)
I never thought I'd see the day when I dubbed camo as "classy," but I guess today is that day. Thank you, Andy Warhol. Leave it to good ol' A. Warhubs to elevate an everyday soup can, a banana - or yes, even camouflage - to something artful and wall-worthy.
Also, that gargantuan arrangement of gorgeous hydrangea; the classic Saarinen tulip table; and the simple pops of color mixed with bright white plus dark, dark floors really helps. Whew! So many design elements mixed into one effortless, but gorgeous, room.
I absolutely adore this image. The top half is all ladylike elegance and proper with panache. Scroll down a bit further and you'll see that this girl's not just pretty and prim - she can down some spaghetti and drink some wine with the best of 'em. So maybe she's more Sophia Loren than Grace Kelley after all. Love it. (We could hang.)
Let's take a little stroll down memory pop culture lane today, shall we? I've found a few nuggets from the weboverse that I had to share - any and all of which may place me squarely in the "pop culture whore / likes the same stuff as a 13-year-old girl / slowly rotting my brain away" category. But I don't really care. And neither do you realllly, do ya, Judgy McJudgerson? You know you love it. So let's take a look, eh?
First up: trendy nails.
Soooo, everyone (okay, every 16-year-old) knows Lauren Conrad is, like, the coolest. And everyone knows that all the trends come from Asia before they hit America. Well, LC (Lauren Conrad is known as "LC" for any of those of you who live under a rock...Sara) just got back from Hong Kong and look at the fun mani she brought back with her:
I already covered matte nail polish and gray nail polish (both of which are going to be huge again this fall - though gray nails are now being usurped by "greige" - gray/beige), but is leopard the next big trend in nails? It is kind of cute, but I'm not sure it's the best for everyday workwear...
Next up: silly shower caps.
Thank you, Urban Outfitters, for always selling the most entertaining slash ridiculous products on the planet. Case in point: shower caps that look like animals (cat, shark, and so on), as well as other objects (no, no, UO is not about to leave out the possibility of putting an ice cream cone, raspberries or devil horns on your head!).
Here are some of my faves from their offerings:
The Happy Hippo would make for a cheery start to your day. Or how about something furry and gray on your head (and not just hairs that need a dye job?) The duck bill could serve as a visor to keep water out of your face. Convenient!
Last: I can't not mention the VMAs in some capacity (and throw in both a Twilight and a SYTYCD reference all at once!).
So last year I commented on some of the performances from the VMAs(which are more fully known as the MTV Video Music Awards...try to keep up with the references here, folks...ahem, Sara) and this year I was really into the performance by Florence Welch from the English group Florence + the Machine. She gave one of the few live performances of the night and sang among a flurry of blue-painted dancers. She was awesome, as were the dancers...whose movement looked strangely familiar. Turns out they were choreographed by Travis Wall, a So You Think You Can Dance alum.
Oh, and if the Florence song sounds familiar to you, it could be because it's the song from the Eat Pray Love preview (or maybe, if you actually are 13, it's because another Florence song - Cosmic Love - was used in Twilight).
Check out her live performance - and the awesome dancers - here:
And if you can't watch embedded videos, you can see the video here.
Well, I hope this dose of teenager-appropriate pop culture has brightened your Tuesday lunch break. I'm going back to my normal regimen of important and deep topics now (you know, things like Martha Stewart pole dancing, Obama drinking games, beards, and proper TP loading...those sort of deep topics). Cough. :)
Has anyone seen The Nate Berkus Show yet? It started this Monday. I adore him (exhibit A, exhibit B), but I can't tell if the show is going to be tragic or awesome...
Though regardless I will probably DVR whatever episode Bethenny is on. I can't help it - she's oddly fascinating to watch - I think it's the extreme oversharing she offers. :)
Have you seen the show? Is Nate great? Or is the show a trainwreck? Do tell!
Is this not the best-looking ensemble (and best-dressed, to boot) that you've seen in a while? It's the cast of the upcoming movie, The Romantics, and they're all clothed in allll J. Crew. Yep. Hot and well-dressed. Bitches. (jk)
Best part? It looks like Katie Holmes might have temporarily evaded the "clutches of crazy" (lookin' at you, T-Cruisey). Doesn't she look much more normal here? I almost see a slight sparkle of "Joey Potter" in her again. Case in point - she actually looks like she's having fun in this pic:
Regardless, the movie itself looks cute. I doubt we'll see it in the theater (I pride myself in being a nice girlfriend who does not drag her boyfriend to chick flicks...though I do drag him to break-dancing movies [Step Up 1 & 2, what?]), but I will def be RedBox-ing it eventually.
As promised, I'm doing my best to banish thoughts of sunny, sunny summertime and focus on fall. It is definitely helping that the weather has cooled down a bit and is even slightly chilly at night.
Fall always makes me think of back to school, a new season, a new start, and therefore...shopping! But, since I'm supposed to be on a shopping hiatus (damn you, recession!), I've cut back my shopping habits from slightly maniacal to none or to strictly budget finds only.
I've scoped out a few great picks for the fall - all on trend and all cheeeeap - so I thought I'd share a few of them with you....But not all, since I've got to have some tricks up my sleeve still, right? (Tricks of the "yes, I got this at Nordstrom" as I hide the $13 F21 tag variety...) ;)
With fall here, I'm just waiting for the rains to start any day. But since we still have quite a few outdoor activities on the books (the MRE Tug of War, concerts at Merriweather, football games, etc.), some sturdy but comfy boots are in order.
I'm kind of obsessed with the Hunter boot / Jimmy Choo collaboration and one of its offspring, the Carnaby Boa Tall in black: I am not obsessed with the $250 price tag.
For the clothes themselves, trends like neutrals, ladylike style and menswear are all huge for fall 2010, so a classic tan trench is a clutch piece (also good for the aforementioned coming rain). I'm not sure I really need a trench, but this one from H&M is very nearly perfect and it's only 35 dollars: I kind of want to go there today and snap this up before everyone else in Annapolis scoops me on this good find!
I would work it like this: Olivia Palermo is a silly, silly biotch, but she can rock an outfit like none other. That look is so yummy I could die.
Another H&M score that falls right in line with the fall trends - animal print being huge again this year - is this cute and cheap cardi for 25 bucks: Screenshot from the Today Show, as found on Full House.
Going back to Payless, I can't tell if these "shooties" by Lela Rose are awesome or kind of crazy:
I think they'd look really good with tights (or maybe even over-the-knee socks) and they're definitely on point with the trends, but I might look like a wacko wearing them...
I'm also tempted to try the faux fur vest layered with other stuff look or over-the-knees socks (with a skirt or shorts, duh), but I couldn't find any good pics to illustrate the look. Maybe that should be a good clue for me not to try them...
Have you scooped up any fun new finds for fall? Any amazing bargains or steals we should all know about?
Say what you will about The President, but I think anyone who takes the time to write an unsolicited thank-you note - and for an indirect gift at that - is a lovely person (especially if the person who is writing happens to be one of the busiest people in the world!).
Above, a note from #44 himself to Canadian author Yann Martel. President Obama read Martel's book, The Life of Pi, with his daughter and then penned a handwritten note, which included this sentiment:
"It is a lovely book — an elegant proof of God, and the power of storytelling. Thank you."
Do you ever feel like this after a long holiday weekend? Photo via quite cheeky.
I do. We had a great holiday weekend, filled with gorgeous weather, lots of time out on the water, a festive 4th of July fireworks show (both downtown and an unsolicited show in our parking lot), tons of food, friends and some downtime for B (I had to work while everyone else was off - boohoo). And even though the weekend was great - and I loved having everyone around for the additional day off - I'm still moving kind of slowly this morning. If only there was one. more. day. off.... ;)
Nonetheless, I'm getting back into the swing of things and will be back in a bit. Check back!
TGIF: Thank goodness for....fashion? Well this morning that's what I'm taking it to mean. But I may be pushing it with the "fashion" label, since what I want to talk about is not necessarily fashionable to some.
What I've got on the brain this morning is....clogs. That's right, clogs. You know, makes you think boy of a with his finger in the dam, tulips and the paint can. All that Dutch stuff you think of when you think of wooden clogs (or is that just me?). But these are actually Swedish. (Go figure.)
Swedish Hasbeens to be exact. And look who's rocking them: Pay no attention to the ginger sitting next to SJP...don't want to scare you on a Friday morn, now do I?
And another view:
But SJP doesn't stop there. No! She's got multiple colors, of course! More:
Oh, and not just with capris. Here's a fall ensemble (complete with baby): On a side note, her kids are pretty cute. Anyway, back to the clog at hand...
People have been suggesting I buy clogs for years - they're the only shoes that won't hurt your back, they say - but I've been resisting because I either picture little girls picking tulips and clog dancing or my mom disco dancing in the 70s. Woah.
But if they're good enough for SJP, American fashion royalty...I might be swayed... Oh wait, I forgot to mention something about these clogs - made by Swedish Hasbeen and shown here in the Peeptoe Super High style(shown above in "Nature" or "Olive"), in case you were wondering. Here's the thing: I thought to myself, "Fine, fine. Clogs. They'll help with my backaches and at least they'll be reasonably priced." Wrong.
These mammers are $202! Well, they're $154 (converted from Euro) plus $48 shipping from across the pond. Them's some pricey wood-soled shoes man! But are they worth it?
What do you think? Are they too hein? Or kinda cool? Do tell on this Friday morn! (What do you have to lose? Tell me what you really think... As if you're hard at work...) ;)
This morning is sunny and beautiful. I'm wishing I were out on the water, sailing and enjoying that full-on summer is here. In the meantime, this photo will have to do. Isn't this snap of Jackie O and JFK watching the sailing boat races dreamy? They really were American royalty.
Be back soon for more, in the meantime, hope you're either outside or at least able to peek out the window and enjoy some of this sunshine!
Repeat after me: a knock-off Birkin bag is not the answer (duh, everyone can tell it's obvi not real - unless you're a duchess or a celebrity).
I make an exception for this bag though - and the whole idea of it in general makes me laugh - introducing the "Birkin as tote bag" bag: Heh.
(Like I said, that bag makes me laugh. It's clever.) I spotted these fun Hermes-inspired tote bags on Bag Snob, but the author (Bag Snob Tina) didn't include a link to where you can get one for yourself - because these are evidently now back-ordered until August. Whaa? Maybe it's because they're only 45 buckaroos (as opposed to the $10,000+ price tag on a real Birkin). Extra bonus, these are much more practical for the summer.
I only wish I could get my hands on one for myself. If you're reading this, Bag Snob Tina, please, please send me the link! Pretty please? I promise I won't share it with anyone (other than on this blog...) Okay?;)
I used to think Tom Cruise was an overzealous, couch-jumping, fake-marrying, aliens-stuck-in-volcanoes-believing weirdo - and he very well might still be. But, after his performance on the MTV Movie Awards - as "Hollywood mega mogul" Les Grossman, his character from Tropic Thunder - I'm willing to give him a little more credence. I mean, he performed a dance duet with J. Lo and gave her a run for her money on the booty-shakin'. That deserves some props.
Do yourself a favor and take a look yourself (note: T-Cruise is in heavy costume as "Les Grossman" - but rest assured, it's him alright - don't you recognize some of the hot-stepping from Risky Business?).
In case you can't view embedded videos, click here.
So what do you think? Not bad, right? T. Pain T. Cruise has won back a few points in my book. Thankfully, because that Xenu business really freaks me out.... ;)
Goooood morning! Did you have a good weekend? I wanted to share a quick song/video with you this hot Monday morning, so without further ado...
I came across PS22 chorus' rendition of Phoenix's Lisztomania on Mighty Girl the other day and totally fell in love with these talented elementary schoolers and their awesome teacher. How good is their version of Lisztomania? Take a look:
In case you can't see embedded YouTube videos, here's the link.
And in case you forgot what Lisztomania - when done by Phoenix - sounds like, here's the link to that too.
These kids are amazing - they even got to perform for Beyonce and Lady Gaga and have been on tv several times - not to mention that their videos have gotten over 10 million views on YouTube! Very impressive. Check out the PS22 Chorus blog here for more videos and songs.
And have a great Monday! (More posts to come throughout the day.)
Well, I saw it. I'm not going to say anything more about it - good or bad - basically because I'm not slick enough to not give anything away if I do. :) But I saw it and I was excited and I wanted to share. What I can tell you is that we went to the 12:01am show, since we thought it'd be kinda fun. It was totally fun, but I guess I didn't realize how loooong the movie is - with previews, we didn't walk out until 3am. (I just got home.) Yawwwwn, I am tired.
Just thought I'd share - woohoo, first to see it! ;) I'm off to bed now. Good night! (Or should I say good morning?)
I have freckles. But not like these: Photo via Full House
I wish. She is gorgeous.
I do, however, have upper thigh tires like these (without the perfectly balanced buxom-ness elsewhere though): Photo via Mary Ruffle
She's beautiful though. I was very happy to see that even a beauty icon like Marilyn had a little junk in her trunk and some cellulite/thigh pockets like me. This will be a little inspiration for me before our upcoming beach trip in August. Maybe I'll be as self-confident as she by then. (ha)
Are you a freckle fan? No need to ask if you're a Marilyn fan - everyone is (even doubters like me).
It's two days later and I'm still not sure what I think. Maybe hated it? Maybe liked it? Still churning thoughts and formulating an opinion, I guess...
Either way, our Tuesday nights just got a whole lot freer. Maybe B and I will take up crocheting. Or (Bay) snorkeling. Maybe rocket science. Jeesh, we should probably just use the time to work out and cook healthy dinners. (snore.)
Hot weather is coming, I can feel it. On days when it's sticky, hot and muggy (thanks for that, Maryland), all I want to do is get my hair off my neck. I so wish I had even an ounce of talent for doing my hair so that I could make mine look like this on those summer days: Photo via Design Crush
Aren't these golden braids gorgeous? I was totally inspired by that breezy do, so I went looking for some other braids. Here are my faves:
This girl's hair looks neat, out of the way, and cute.
And here's the girl who might just be the most recent originator (we couldn't forget Heidi of course) of the ubiquitous casual CA style, braids and all: Lauren Conrad from The Hills
Jennifer Aniston rocked a little braid at...the Oscars. Who knew braids could be so fancy? I love this look on her, though, and she is the consummate California girl, so it works:
Blake Lively's braids look more Grecian to me, but I'm still liking them:
And another CA girl (I'm sensing a theme here), the ever-stylish Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere, donned these braids when she needed a versatile style - she took this hair from a formal birthday party to a night out at the bar. And she teaches exactly how she did this hair here.
So what about you? Do you ever sport the braids? Do you like the look or is it too Pollyanna for you? Do tell!
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