All of these are from Nordstrom.
All of these I want!
Maybe I should save my nickels. By the time I have enough to buy one of these I will have the body to wear it!
Sometimes I can't get over my brilliance.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Stripe happy
I've always been a solids kinda gal, but this summer I am really digging the stripes and prints! I mean I was solids for a good 30 years...this is all very new to me. Now that I'm losing weight, I've been doing some window shopping and found some motivational dresses. Not that I can afford them, but I will dream about them!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Party Planning
I think it's safe to say that most of us in the blogging world would throw a pretty kick ass party right? You have to be pretty creative to have a blog, then there's some fabulous blogger chefs and wonderful blogger decorators. How fun it would be to have a group of all star bloggers throw a party!!!
I was beyond thrilled when I was recently asked to help throw a party. Actually I can't quite remember if I was asked or begged or pleaded or whimpered to be let in? Either way, I'm in! And begged/groveled/whined to be given decorating duties. Weird right? Usually I'da done that for dessert making priveleges, but all of a sudden I was jonesing to decorate!
I was beyond thrilled when I was recently asked to help throw a party. Actually I can't quite remember if I was asked or begged or pleaded or whimpered to be let in? Either way, I'm in! And begged/groveled/whined to be given decorating duties. Weird right? Usually I'da done that for dessert making priveleges, but all of a sudden I was jonesing to decorate!
I.can't.wait to tablescape!!!
So, I turned to some other blogs for inspiration. Wow! There are so many wonderful ideas out there, and I totally wish I was getting married again because I also found some great websites for decorating on the cheap! Here are some of my favorites:
Beach theme From Between Naps on the Porch
I love the colors on this one! From Tiffany Angeles
Check out the deals Lynda found over at Focal Point! .89 cents for those beautiful blue glasses!? Yes please.
Ummm...this is a party I want to go to! amiright?
Black and white makes for an elegant table! From the Bloom Girls.
The great thing about tablescapes is that you can find some terrific deals out there. For my upcoming table..ooh I can't wait to do it!...I bought from Save on Crafts. I also got some great deals at Marshalls. Tomorrow I'm going to check out Pier One and then I've got to stop before I spend next week's paycheck too.
A little note on online shopping..I always always always fill up my online cart, then open another window and google the store I'm buying from and coupon. There are not only great deals online but almost always I can find a coupon for a further discount. Don't ever buy without checking first!
The tough part of the deals and tablescaping is that you end up with a lot of knick knack paddywhack type of stuff, so try to get cute things that you can use more than once. I want to throw parties all summer just so I can keep tablescaping!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Happy Mom's Day!
I was supposed to be with my mommala today but she wasn't able to make it cross country this time...but if she was here at the moment I was planning on making her lobster pie.
Next time Mommala!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
GTKY Sunday!
It's a ROYAL edition of Get to Know You Sunday!!
1. did you watch the royal wedding
I watched the procession and the beginning, then all the hymns lulled me back asleep..after of course giggling at how no one's mouths really seemed to be moving with the words I was hearing! Ok, let's be honest, I've been watching anything I happen to catch on the wedding since Friday.
2. tea and crumpets or coffee and a scone?
Ooh, how about coffee and crumpet? I think crumpet is just an english muffin, I much prefer that to a scone. Gotta love them nooks and crannies right!?3. who's cuter..prince william or prince harry?
They look so different for brothers don't they? I'm going with:
4. can you speak in a english accent?
Oh I do wish I could bet-tah but it's not really all that good. (As a matter of fact, as I answer all these questions, in my mind, I am using an english accent.) 5. do you own a fancy hat?
Oh you mean a fascinator? I don't. But perhaps I shall get one in time for Harry's wedding.
6. would you rather live in a castle or an english cottage?
Castles don't seem as homey..more like museums. Who can relax in a museum? I choose a cottage, I'm picturing the one in the movie The Holiday.
7. how old were you when prince charles and princess diana got married? were you even born?
I was 3..and crazy enough totally remember watching it on tv. No DVR's back then, we had to watch that live!
8. have you found your prince?
Yes.
That was a fun one! Head over to Mannland5 to answer the questions and link up..oh please do because these answers will be fun to read. In other news, my computer is annoyingly slow today, I don't know what on earth is going on with it...maybe it doesn't recognize my fingers typing with an english accent?
Happy Sunday!!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
My Day as an Extra
(Read post below for the pre-story!)
My call time was 6am and I was told to be prepared for a 12-14 hour day, and to arrive with hair and makeup done for a formal event. When I arrived, we were not on set but down the street a little. There were tents and tables set up. We were told to fill out a time form and then have breakfast before heading to the set. Arriving at the set, there was a table with everyone's pictures laid out. We had to find our picture to know what dress to change into, then head to the dressing room before heading to hair and make up. (Apparently, I didn't need to wake up extra early to get ready as I did) They had chosen my own dress for me to wear, which shocked me because I was so sure I'd be wearing the first one I had tried on in casting. It seemed a little less formal than the rest of the group but it was comfy so I went with it.
Next I went to makeup, quite humbly, with my chinzits. I apologized..but also was grateful because I expected them to turn me away for being a chunky monkey with an acnified chin. They spent quite a bit of time trying to cover those suckers up too. Then it was sit and wait for a hair chair to open up, and while waiting another make up person grabbed me..I told her I already had been to make up to which she said "You did?! Have you looked in a mirror?"
Oh my, I thought, jumping up and into her chair, purposely avoiding the mirror. I didn't even want to know what she was talking about. Look, she tells me again. Cautiously I peer into the mirror and see 2 big white splotches on my face. Oh phew, I thought it was going to be something like a big clown nose..or maybe she had magnified the acnified chin instead of covered it up. White splotches...no big thing. It was just some moisturizer and powder that didn't blend in. The second girl spent another half hour on the chin area though, and again I found myself amply apologizing for such a tragedy.
Next up was hair, and I thought they may fluff it up a little and send me on my way, but nope, they gave me a full on up-do. Seriously in 15 minutes she put my hair back and up with a million bobby pins in a style it would have taken an hour to do at the salon.
We were then greeted by the maestro of the extras and given instructions on pantomiming. (Pretending to talk without a sound coming out. Even so much as a whisper could be heard by the sound guys and they'd have to retake the scene.) I mean, not just the extras in the scene, but anywhere in the building or on the outside could not make a peep. At one point someone was talking at a whisper and the director grumbled out "Haven't these people ever been on a set before!?"
Ooh, I couldn't wait to get in there and pantomime!!
It came time to start picking people for the scene. Hands went up all over the place - pick me! pick me! And I wondered, seriously is this what it's like? We have to beg to be put in? And as I marveled on that thought, they picked everyone for the first scene before I could put my hand up. But then the maestro said - aw heck, this whole side of the room (my side) come to the front.
Since we were going to a ball, we'd need dates. So, just like a jr. high school dance, the women were lined up on one side of the room and started to get paired up...until maestro got tired and said to the men...just pick a date and get out there. I was towards the back since the people who raised their hands were up front. I did not get picked. Instead, youngen's not far out of high school in all their petiteness wearing their prom dresses from last year were the first picked. And there I was left standing at the end, dateless and out of the scene.
For 8 hours I sat and waited. My fancy up-do threatening to frizz, my chin threatening to shine. Lunch came and went and then! Finally, all who have not been in a scene yet - head in.
I get to pantomime!!
As I headed into the ballroom, dateless, I was placed on a chair off to the side of the dance floor. Then a couple was instructed to walk in and stand directly in front of me when they heard "action!"...so pretty sure I won't be seen in that scene. Another time I was standing drinking champagne and laughing with a group..only that time there were also people standing in front of me.
What amazed me, a single scene of a couple leaving a dance floor, took at least a half hour to film. And in between every scene, the hair and makeup people were scurrying about, fixing everybody up. And, as quiet as everyone had to be, we still couldn't hear the dialog between the main characters.
Finally, 12 hours later I was sitting off to the side with 3 other women. The scene was about to begin when one of the stage guys came up to us and said - You're walking! to us. I felt a little thrill of excitement at getting to walk right through the scene.
The scene starts and he says - Ready? Walk and talk..go! Just you two! To the ladies on my left.
After 30 seconds he says it again..get ready to walk! The other girl I was standing with asks him, Both of us?
The man quickly glances at me, over my dress, and quickly says..Just you..to the other girl. Leaving me the last one, and scene is over. Did.I.ever.feel.the.chunky.monkey! I mean..I really did. Shortly after the day was over, and I left completely emotionally drained. I felt bad in a way you shouldn't let a look cut you down but you are self conscious enough that it does.
But ~ I am on the weight loss track and it was a fun experience nonetheless...but it would have been so much more fun had I been skinny. When that happens, I will jump on the chance to be an extra again. All in all, it was over 10 hours of sitting there doing nothing at all, but it was a lot of fun too. And, I got to cross something off my list of things to do before I die!
My call time was 6am and I was told to be prepared for a 12-14 hour day, and to arrive with hair and makeup done for a formal event. When I arrived, we were not on set but down the street a little. There were tents and tables set up. We were told to fill out a time form and then have breakfast before heading to the set. Arriving at the set, there was a table with everyone's pictures laid out. We had to find our picture to know what dress to change into, then head to the dressing room before heading to hair and make up. (Apparently, I didn't need to wake up extra early to get ready as I did) They had chosen my own dress for me to wear, which shocked me because I was so sure I'd be wearing the first one I had tried on in casting. It seemed a little less formal than the rest of the group but it was comfy so I went with it.
Next I went to makeup, quite humbly, with my chinzits. I apologized..but also was grateful because I expected them to turn me away for being a chunky monkey with an acnified chin. They spent quite a bit of time trying to cover those suckers up too. Then it was sit and wait for a hair chair to open up, and while waiting another make up person grabbed me..I told her I already had been to make up to which she said "You did?! Have you looked in a mirror?"
Oh my, I thought, jumping up and into her chair, purposely avoiding the mirror. I didn't even want to know what she was talking about. Look, she tells me again. Cautiously I peer into the mirror and see 2 big white splotches on my face. Oh phew, I thought it was going to be something like a big clown nose..or maybe she had magnified the acnified chin instead of covered it up. White splotches...no big thing. It was just some moisturizer and powder that didn't blend in. The second girl spent another half hour on the chin area though, and again I found myself amply apologizing for such a tragedy.
Next up was hair, and I thought they may fluff it up a little and send me on my way, but nope, they gave me a full on up-do. Seriously in 15 minutes she put my hair back and up with a million bobby pins in a style it would have taken an hour to do at the salon.
We were then greeted by the maestro of the extras and given instructions on pantomiming. (Pretending to talk without a sound coming out. Even so much as a whisper could be heard by the sound guys and they'd have to retake the scene.) I mean, not just the extras in the scene, but anywhere in the building or on the outside could not make a peep. At one point someone was talking at a whisper and the director grumbled out "Haven't these people ever been on a set before!?"
Ooh, I couldn't wait to get in there and pantomime!!
It came time to start picking people for the scene. Hands went up all over the place - pick me! pick me! And I wondered, seriously is this what it's like? We have to beg to be put in? And as I marveled on that thought, they picked everyone for the first scene before I could put my hand up. But then the maestro said - aw heck, this whole side of the room (my side) come to the front.
Since we were going to a ball, we'd need dates. So, just like a jr. high school dance, the women were lined up on one side of the room and started to get paired up...until maestro got tired and said to the men...just pick a date and get out there. I was towards the back since the people who raised their hands were up front. I did not get picked. Instead, youngen's not far out of high school in all their petiteness wearing their prom dresses from last year were the first picked. And there I was left standing at the end, dateless and out of the scene.
For 8 hours I sat and waited. My fancy up-do threatening to frizz, my chin threatening to shine. Lunch came and went and then! Finally, all who have not been in a scene yet - head in.
I get to pantomime!!
As I headed into the ballroom, dateless, I was placed on a chair off to the side of the dance floor. Then a couple was instructed to walk in and stand directly in front of me when they heard "action!"...so pretty sure I won't be seen in that scene. Another time I was standing drinking champagne and laughing with a group..only that time there were also people standing in front of me.
What amazed me, a single scene of a couple leaving a dance floor, took at least a half hour to film. And in between every scene, the hair and makeup people were scurrying about, fixing everybody up. And, as quiet as everyone had to be, we still couldn't hear the dialog between the main characters.
Finally, 12 hours later I was sitting off to the side with 3 other women. The scene was about to begin when one of the stage guys came up to us and said - You're walking! to us. I felt a little thrill of excitement at getting to walk right through the scene.
The scene starts and he says - Ready? Walk and talk..go! Just you two! To the ladies on my left.
After 30 seconds he says it again..get ready to walk! The other girl I was standing with asks him, Both of us?
The man quickly glances at me, over my dress, and quickly says..Just you..to the other girl. Leaving me the last one, and scene is over. Did.I.ever.feel.the.chunky.monkey! I mean..I really did. Shortly after the day was over, and I left completely emotionally drained. I felt bad in a way you shouldn't let a look cut you down but you are self conscious enough that it does.
But ~ I am on the weight loss track and it was a fun experience nonetheless...but it would have been so much more fun had I been skinny. When that happens, I will jump on the chance to be an extra again. All in all, it was over 10 hours of sitting there doing nothing at all, but it was a lot of fun too. And, I got to cross something off my list of things to do before I die!
Crossing another thing off the ol' bucket list
Sometimes in life I get extremely down about having not accomplished much. Several years ago, probably brought about by the Bucket List movie, I created a list of 100 things to do before I die. I never made it to 100 but I figure I can add on later. I've already done a couple things, like competing in a triathlon, getting married, buying a house...and this past week I scratched one more thing off the list. Something I thought would be difficult to accomplish: being an extra, either in a film or tv show. Here's the (pre)story!
Several months ago I saw on the news that a tv show filmed locally was looking for extras, and they gave a website to sign up. I signed up and promptly forgot about it. Then about a month ago I got an email, they were filming a ball scene and needed extras, would I be interested and available? Well, yes I would, thankyouverymuch! I responded immediately and the next step was to go to casting with any ball gowns I may already have. I had none. But also, a little self conscious about my size, went to Marshall's and picked one up just so I wouldn't have to tell them my size. (Ok, a lot self conscious)
When the day came, I brought my dress in and noticed racks of other dresses. They asked my name, dress size, and shoe size and wrote them on a dry erase board..I told them I was a size down from what I am. Like I said, I was reeeaaally hoping not to have to say it. Then my fib came tumbling down when she said "Great, pick a dressing room and I'm going to pull some more dresses for you to try on." Crapola.
Luckily, formal dresses run small, so she grabbed a few that were my actual size. But still, I probably could have even used a size up from that. But...embarrassing. The first dress I tried on fit me, thankfully, and I came out of the dressing room to their critical eyes looking ever so thoughtfully at the dress. I was self conscious as hell! Then they styled me up with matching shoes and jewelry, then took the dreaded dry erase board announcing my name and size and had me hold it up so they could take a picture of me in the dress.
The next dress I tried on didn't fit at all, and ultimately ended up trying on my own dress for them..it was the only other one that fit. Same sequence, ending with me holding up the blasted board and having my picture taken. They really seemed to like the first one better, but told me I wouldn't know which I'd be wearing and to bring everything the day of shooting. Then I collected my dignity from the dressing room floor and went on my merry way.
The day before shooting I got an email telling me what time it would be and where to go. In the week leading up to the big day...I was stressed. Not just about this, but lots of life stresses. And when life stresses...I break out. Here I am the day before, praying my teenage pimples would magically disappear and doing everything I can to help the process along. I mean, I even put on the toothpaste to try that old trick. I really gave a serious thought to not going..how can I go possibly show my face on tv feeling chunky and with teenage skin??? But, then I remembered my list and I may never get this chance again, so I told myself....just do it. I also ran out to the mall and picked up some spanx.
Finally, the big day arrived. Pimples? Loud and proud right there on my chin for all to see. Anxiety level? Surprisingly low. I had more anxiety about doing the triathlon. I mean, I knew being an extra was no big thang, "it's not about me" and all about the actors themselves.. Here goes nothing!
Several months ago I saw on the news that a tv show filmed locally was looking for extras, and they gave a website to sign up. I signed up and promptly forgot about it. Then about a month ago I got an email, they were filming a ball scene and needed extras, would I be interested and available? Well, yes I would, thankyouverymuch! I responded immediately and the next step was to go to casting with any ball gowns I may already have. I had none. But also, a little self conscious about my size, went to Marshall's and picked one up just so I wouldn't have to tell them my size. (Ok, a lot self conscious)
When the day came, I brought my dress in and noticed racks of other dresses. They asked my name, dress size, and shoe size and wrote them on a dry erase board..I told them I was a size down from what I am. Like I said, I was reeeaaally hoping not to have to say it. Then my fib came tumbling down when she said "Great, pick a dressing room and I'm going to pull some more dresses for you to try on." Crapola.
Luckily, formal dresses run small, so she grabbed a few that were my actual size. But still, I probably could have even used a size up from that. But...embarrassing. The first dress I tried on fit me, thankfully, and I came out of the dressing room to their critical eyes looking ever so thoughtfully at the dress. I was self conscious as hell! Then they styled me up with matching shoes and jewelry, then took the dreaded dry erase board announcing my name and size and had me hold it up so they could take a picture of me in the dress.
The next dress I tried on didn't fit at all, and ultimately ended up trying on my own dress for them..it was the only other one that fit. Same sequence, ending with me holding up the blasted board and having my picture taken. They really seemed to like the first one better, but told me I wouldn't know which I'd be wearing and to bring everything the day of shooting. Then I collected my dignity from the dressing room floor and went on my merry way.
The day before shooting I got an email telling me what time it would be and where to go. In the week leading up to the big day...I was stressed. Not just about this, but lots of life stresses. And when life stresses...I break out. Here I am the day before, praying my teenage pimples would magically disappear and doing everything I can to help the process along. I mean, I even put on the toothpaste to try that old trick. I really gave a serious thought to not going..how can I go possibly show my face on tv feeling chunky and with teenage skin??? But, then I remembered my list and I may never get this chance again, so I told myself....just do it. I also ran out to the mall and picked up some spanx.
Finally, the big day arrived. Pimples? Loud and proud right there on my chin for all to see. Anxiety level? Surprisingly low. I had more anxiety about doing the triathlon. I mean, I knew being an extra was no big thang, "it's not about me" and all about the actors themselves.. Here goes nothing!
More about the big day in my next post!!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
I want....
Now that I'm serious about diet and exercise...
Including a workout by the all inspiring Tracy Anderson:
I am ready for the body of her famous clients:
Like Gwyneth. (Love the yellow dress too!)
And while I'm putting in my order with the universe, can I also please have J Lo's legs?
Kim K's booty..maybe slightly smaller..
And Katie's skin:
That's not too much to ask is it?
Ooh and if I got abs like any of these women I would be putting on a bikini for the first time in....??? years. For some reason I am loving the stripes this year:
As I mentioned I am currently dieting. I am following a plan from a hospital weight management center - it was time I got help. I've been trying for too long and have not lost a single pound. Or, I lose a few and then promptly gain it right back. Now I'm looking for the big forever loss. For the next several weeks my diet will consist of 2 shakes, 3 bars, and 1 meal consisting of 6oz protein and 1 cup cooked veggies per day. Today is day 3 and already I have lost 3 pounds! I have been tempted by lots of cakes and cookies and of course Easter tomorrow but so far...so good.
I'm still debating on a healthier Easter menu. I'm thinking of slow cooker turkey..and maybe throwing a few potatoes in with the turkey so hubs can have some carbs. Then 2 veggie dishes..grean beans and maybe broccoli. Then I won't be cheating terribly bad. The only cheat may come in portion size but I will try to keep that under control. And woot! I will survive a holiday dinner!
I hope you are enjoying your Easter weekend!
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