What’s up, Chuck?

If you grew up in the DMV (aka DC, Maryland, Virginia) you know about Chuck Brown. If you didn’t grow up around here, then you should know that he was the ‘Godfather of Go-Go’ (Not the dancing with scantily clad girls, but the music genre native to Washington, DC). He even has a street named after him!

He died last week due to complications of pneumonia and his death has brought about a resurgence of Go-Go music on local radio stations, which reminds me of cookouts and parties that my mom would take me to at my godmother’s house when I was a little kid.

So here’s my small tribute to Chuck Brown:

(Incidentally, this is the song that plays every time the Washington Nationals hit a home run)

How To Eat Good

Joanna Goddard, of A Cup of Jo, posted a very timely (and very cute) entry about table etiquette. With wedding season right around the corner and other exciting social engagements on the horizon, this crib sheet will help you impress your hosts.

 

If you’re like myself, this article will be a nice little refresher to some of the things your mother taught you growing up. Just remember her handy tips: Salt and Pepper are married, BMW, and taste before you season!

 

BB

The “BB” in BB Cream could stand for a number of things. Some uses I’ve seen are Beauty Balm and Blemish Balm.

It was first developed in Europe as a way to protect and provide coverage to skin after laser procedures, but is taking the world by storm as the next essential tool to keep in your makeup bag. Gaining popularity in Asia, it has been used by actors under their makeup to provide more coverage and light protection on set.

Now that it’s making waves Stateside, girls next door are using it to enhance their makeup and create a finished, air brushed look.

Personally, I like Smashbox’s BB Cream which is a 5-in-1 system that promises to prime, perfect, hydrate, protect and control oil. Unlike other similar creams out there, you won’t start to develop a chalky residue on your skin hours after you put it on.

 

 

 

Sorry Angelina…

But is how you do black velvet:

Because I Care

I harangue my roommate regularly about his apathy toward fashionable menswear. For those of you with a male friend, brother, boyfriend, etc who could use some friendly tips,this guide I found on DeviantArt could help:

 

Because it’s so much more than a bag

The holidays are drawing closer and closer and I’m starting to crave my favorite holiday movies. Love Actually (which, by the way, is almost 10 years old) is one of my favorites. It has everything an outstanding Christmas rom com should have:

1. A Mariah Carey cover

2. Far away places

3. All kinds of love (Unrequited, bi-lingual, father-son, best friend, new…you get the idea)

The movie also has rom com elements that make it a movie you love to hate. But still love, actually.

Thanks to The Hairpin and my friend Cassandra for finding this first and posting it online, but read all the reasons why we love to hate and love to love Love Actually:

David (Hugh Grant) and Natalie (Martine McCutcheon)

Why I hate actually it:

• This is the first of three subplots in which a man falls in love with his female subordinate.
• The female subordinate in question, Natalie, is constantly referred to as “the chubby girl.”
• Hugh Grant and Billy Bob Thornton both phone it in to play themselves.
• No one seems to think it’s odd that Hugh Grant is Prime Minister and Billy Bob Thornton is the President of the United States.
• No, really. How did they get elected?
• Unbelievable airport security. So someone runs past security and jumps on the Prime Minister and doesn’t get shot? Sure.

Why I love actually it:

• Hugh Grant and Natalie are SO cute together.
• Hugh Grant is SO cute when he dances to the Pointer Sisters.
• Natalie is SO cute when she jumps into Hugh Grant’s arms at Heathrow.
• When Hugh OWNS the President in that press conference and the music swells and my arms get goosebumps!
• Oh my god, I say, “EIGHT IS A LOT OF LEGS, DAVID,” all the time!!!
• The caroling scene! Those little girls!
• Who knew his driver was such a good singer?!?
• She jumps into his arms and he catches her!!!

Uncle Jamie (Colin Firth) and Aurelia (Lúcia Moniz)

Why I hate actually it:

• This is the second of three subplots in which a man falls in love with his female subordinate.
• Jamie and Aurelia never have a conversation before his proposal.
• Jamie doesn’t back up his work.
• Jamie doesn’t think writing on a typewriter near a body of water is a problem when one doesn’t back up one’s work.
• Jamie and Aurelia never have a conversation before his proposal.

Why I love actually it:

• Colin Firth smiles!
• Colin Firth speaks broken Portugese!
• Colin Firth was so good in Bridget Jones!
• Colin Firth was so good in Bridget Jones 2!
• Colin Firth was THE BEST Mr. Darcy!
• Have you seen the Colin Firth Pride & Prejudice?!?!
• Colin Firth proposes and she says, “Yes,” and the music swells and I get goosebumps!

Sarah (Laura Linney) and Karl (Rodrigo Santoro)

Why I hate actually it:

• Yeah. Karl is single.
• All the pressure for initiating the relationship is placed on Sarah, despite the fact that Karl seems to return the interest.
• Yeah. Karl is single.
• Sarah’s brother’s illness is too vaguely presented for me to fully comprehend her compulsive phone answering. Couldn’t you have pressed ignore while Karl was in your bedroom?
• Yeah. Karl is single.

Why I love actually it:

• Laura Linney deserves so much happiness! Haven’t you seen You Can Count on Me?
• Karl’s glasses!
• When Alan Rickman is like, “YOU NEED TO DATE HIM,” basically because he’s such a great and supportive boss even though he cheated on Emma Thompson!
• Their first dance!
• When she laughs and jumps after their first kiss!
• She’s a really good sister.

Daniel (Liam Neeson) and Sam (Thomas Sangster) and Joanna (Olivia Olson)

Why I hate actually it:

• It reminds me that I’ll never be Liam Neeson.
• It reminds me that because I’ll never have a kid who’s exactly like Sam, I’ll never have kids at all.
• Liam Neeson reminds me of Natasha Richardson, whose death I’m still mourning.
• Airport security is unbelievably lax. The kid didn’t even have to take off his shoes.

Why I love actually it:

• That kid!
• That scene when they watch Titanic for RESEARCH!! I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE!!!!
• Claudia Schiffer’s cameo was SOOO CUTE and funny and UNEXPECTED!
• “All I Want For Christmas Is You” always makes me
• Mr. Bean helps them out by distracting the guard!!!!

Harry (Alan Rickman) and Karen (Emma Thompson) and Mia (Heike Makatsch)

Why I hate actually it:

• This is the third of three subplots in which men fall in love with female subordinates.
• It’s far too difficult to watch Karen’s heart break after receiving the Joni Mitchell CD as Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” plays because watching Emma Thompson’s heart break is more devastating to me than when friends and family give me bad news.
• Karen’s tears sadden me.
• Karen’s nervous pacing saddens me.
• Karen’s ability to pull herself together for the sake of their children saddens me.

Why I love actually it:

• It’s SOOO much fun to yell when Mia comes onscreen!!! Thinks like, “BOOOOOO YOU’RE THE WORST!” or, “BOOOOOOOOO YOU’RE THE DEVIL!”
• Alan Rickman is the BEST actor to hate in a movie! Love him!!!
• That scene at the jewelry counter with Mr. Bean and the gift wrap!!!! C-L-A-S-S-I-C!
• When he says, “THIS IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A BAG!”
• I know I said I hated watching Karen have an emotional breakdown but there’s also something kind of beautiful about watching someone at their lowest point, you know? Is that sick?

Colin (Kris Marshall), Tony (Abdul Salis), Harriet (Shannon Elizabeth), Carla (Denise Richards), Jeannie (January Jones), and Carol-Anne (Elisha Cuthbert)

Why I hate actually it:

• Colin may be most irritating character in this movie. I do not wish him love, actually.
• Despite that, Tony (Colin’s only friend, I presume) is far too unsupportive of Colin’s plan to visit the United States. Why be his friend if you’re unable to have any faith in him?
• There’s only room for one bumbling Brit in this movie.
• This subplot reminds me of Shannon Elizabeth’s career.
• This subplot reminds me of Denise Richards’ career.

Why I love actually it:

• I love that Colin finds love!!!!
• English accents!
• Imperfect teeth!
• How Colin says, “WISCONSIN!”
• He’s just so excited to be in America and I LIVE IN AMERICA!!!

Billy (Bill Nighy) and Joe (Gregor Fisher)

Why I hate actually it:

• OK, maybe there’s one subplot with absolutely nothing to hate.

Why I love actually it:

• He wrote “LITTLE PRICKS” on that sign!
• He can’t get the lyrics right!!! LOVE that.
• When Billy gets a call from Elton John — how cool! Would love to get a call from Elton John!
• The Britney Spears joke! Love her but still, “shag” and “rubbish” are sooo British words!
• Billy and Joe finally hug! I almost cried!

John (Martin Freeman) and Judy (Joanna Page)

Why I hate actually it:

• Again, nothing to hate here. How disappointing!

Why I love actually it:

• The relationship between John and Judy is one of the — if not the — most fully realized and believable romances in the film. And most of it occurs while John and Judy are simulating sex.

Mark (Andrew Lincoln) and Juliet (Kiera Knightley) and Peter (Chiwetel Ejiofor)

Why I hate actually it:

• Yes, Mark has a crush on his best friend’s wife, but why must he treat her like a piece of garbage?
• Mark may be the most immature person in this entire movie, and I’m including the kid.
• If my secret crush found out I was crushin’ through some embarrassing  video footage, the song that would begin playing as I ran out of my apartment would definitely not be Dido’s “Here With Me.”
• “To me, you are perfect” — well, aside from the married part.
• Professing your love to your best friend’s wife is never a good idea.
• Especially around the holidays.
• And especially on poster board.
• If my secret crush found out I was crushin’ through some embarrassing  video footage, the song that would begin playing as I ran out of my apartment would definitely not be Dido’s “Here With Me.”

Why I love actually it:

• He’s in LOVE with her and he can’t TELL her, it’s so tragic and beautiful!!
• SO CUTE that he videotaped her face the entire time. He just thought she was a gorgeous perfect angel!!!
• I want someone to profess their love to me on poster board!
• THEY FINALLY KISS!!!
• I LOVE DIDO!

Parfum Conundrum

This weekend, Marie Line Patry, Guerlain National Beauty and Fragrance Director, stopped by the Neiman Marcus in Chevy Chase to introduce shoppers to new and hard to find fragrances from the beauty house’s iconic line. I was there with the best intentions of buying a birthday gift for a dear friend*, but allowed myself to get side-tracked (hello…can you blame me?).

I found not one, but two fragrances that I hope to obtain.

The first, Shalimar Parfum Initial, the fashion house’s fresh take on it’s historic Shalimar fragrance:

The second was La Petit Robe Noir (Little Black Dress)

Both were sweet, youthful, and sophisticated. The Parfum Initial held true to the rich spicy notes of its predecessor but had a softer, fruity edge. La Petite Robe Noir was also sweet and undeniably french with notes of macaroon and almond.

Ms. Patry was so helpful, almost TOO helpful, as I now have a major decision to make.

*Just in case anyone is interested, I did find a lovely gift for my friend.

Attending your office Christmas party? Keep this in your pocket

When it comes to office gatherings, I think the old 2 drink maximum is a safe and solid rule of thumb. There are exceptions to every rule, and New York Magazine’s Grub Street blog has provided this handy  guide for navigating the murky waters of mandatory fun.

Highly recommend reading the entire article for a hilarious and detailed explanation that will, if nothing else, get you and your co-workers rolling during your lunch break.

Where do you fall on this list?

Solidarity

First of all, let me say this: No one can understand or comprehend what it’s like to experience a tragedy like the shootings at Virginia Tech in 2007 except for the people who were actually there. That’s just a fact, and I would not even begin to write this if I thought that it would be taken that way.

With that said, seeing the news about the shooting today brought back a lot of memories for me about that horrible day. I went to college at another large Virginia university and I remember several friends and classmates frantically trying to reach family members and former high school classmates who were at Tech at the time. I also remember the way other state schools, public and private, stood together in a humbling show of solidarity and support for Virginia Tech.

I especially remember this cartoon:

 

The first time I saw it, I thought it was touching (if not just a tad – only a tad) over the top. Looking at it now and being freshly reminded of that day does make me more appreciative and proud to have been a part of this community.

 

 

You’re Toxic

Last week, a good friend and I embarked on a week long detox/diet experiment. Everyone in our group (almost 10 people participated as well) lost about one pound per day and some even more.

I expect that a lot of this is water and will be gained back relatively soon, but doing this taught me a few valuable lessons that I hope to carry over post-cleanse.

1. People around you influence what you eat more than you realize. Following this cleanse was easy enough when I was alone, but around friends and co-workers it was miserable to watch them snack on chips, candy, and baked goods. This made me realize how little I actually want to eat those foods but do anyway because of the power of suggestion and wanting to share in an experience.

2. Portion control is crucial. I never realized how little I actually needed to eat in order to feel satisfied and full. Taking a break from Cheesecake Factory-esque portions (come on, you know that just one of their entrees could easily feed a small family) makes you realize how little you need to eat in one sitting.

3. Variety is the spice of life. When I started the cleanse, I really liked the soup. A lot! After about the 8th serving of it, I couldn’t even look at a carrot without feeling ill. When I got to eat steamed veggies on Day 3 I was so thrilled with the endless possibilities (and solid food) that I was able to really enjoy it even though my meals were almost all meat free, not fried, or covered in sauce.

Here are the rules:

(Full disclosure: I did not follow this exactly to the letter. I added a protein – either a boiled egg or a piece of fish – to one meal on most of the days. When I went out with friends, I ordered meals that were as similar to the cleanse instructions as possible even though when you eat out most of the food is heavy in sodium and certainly not steamed. Finally, I consumed caffeine most of the days – you can’t go on a total body cleanse AND kick a bad habit in one week!)

Day 1 & 2
Breakfast: Pomegranate Juice
Lunch: Soup (homemade with broth, onions, carrots, celery). The rule
is – you have to put it in a blender and liquify it
Dinner – Same as lunch
Snacks: Water

Day 3 & 4
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Steamed veggies
Dinner: Steamed veggies (with no butter of course)
Snacks: Water, 100% veggie juice, berries

Day 5, 6 & 7
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Leafy green salad with olive oil, salt & pepper (onions,
mushrooms, cherry tomatoes allowed)
Dinner: Vegetable soup (you don’t have to put it in a blender)
Snacks: Water, berries, 100% veggie juice