Lipstick and Drama

Battlefield of the Mind

2013-06-05T17:08:00.000-06:00

Photo: http://mylittledrawingdesk.blogspot.com

For numerous reasons that exist both within my mind and throughout my daily life, I have somehow become bankrupt of inspiration. I'm not clever or witty. I don't know exactly just what to say or how to say it.

My ability to constantly generate, extend and upcycle ideas - much to the absolute exhaustion of anyone in close proximity has since dried up - yielding only painfully deserted, dried up cracks in my once flourishing stream of wonder and creativity.

What happens when there's nothing left to write?

You write anyway. Even if it's not very good writing.

Someone recently suggested that this creative drought is because I have no sense of longing in my life. That perhaps I'm content with no room to yearn for anything more. That's not exactly the case. While I agree that I am devoid of longing, it's not because I am overindulged with privilege and convenience. Maybe my sense of ideation starves because I haven't mentally struggled this long or this hard in a really long time. Maybe I'm so astonished at life's twists and turns, it's simply too overwhelming for my words. Hard to say. Maybe I need to look around and be supremely grateful for everyone and everything in my life.

In the battlefield of my mind, I can't decide which side I'm on. Or what I'm fighting for, or why. Scenarios like this typically make for great writing, and yet my keyboard is silenced. I need to identify the demons that are holding me back - and fight like hell to slay them.

I miss my blog...

2012-11-30T14:22:00.001-07:00

I spend so much time living out loud, rushing around to the next big thing scribbled into my calendar and sometimes just barely managing to put one foot in front of the other. All the while, none of these amazing parts of my life are being documented. I miss writing things down, I miss sharing.

Here's hoping I get my priorities back on course... stay tuned.

I dreamt I was a Jew during the Holocaust...

2012-09-25T07:58:00.000-06:00

http://history1900s.about.com/library/holocaust/blauschwitz1.htm In the foreground is the sign "Arbeit Macht Frei" (Work makes one free). (1945)

And I think that getting beat up by the German police, being shackled and led off to a concentration camp (in my dream) taught me that in my real life, I don't know a damn thing about human suffering.

I don't know why my dreams are so vivid and hard sometimes. Maybe it's the same texture of the lessons I need to somehow try to learn.

And no, I wasn't watching a movie involving this part of history before bed or any other time in recent memory. Like you, I wondered about the influential source of the dream too.

Corporate Base Jumper

2012-09-24T22:47:00.000-06:00

Photo: http://www.telegraph.co.uk

Today an old friend rang me up and thankfully, I had the brainpower to mine the most sobering nugget of reality from our conversation.

In true bon viveur style, my friend smartly quit corporate life after many years of ultra hard work and long hours to find himself elsewhere. HE JUMPED OFF THE HIGHEST SKYSCRAPER WITH A STRETCHED SMILE UPON HIS FACE. Since then, he's gone from extreme skiing, to learning to sail, to piloting small engine planes, to novel writer, to rock musician stints and back.

His on-going journey is nothing short of opportunistic and incredible. He reminds me very much of Tim Ferris who wrote The Four Hour Work week. We psycho-babbled like best girlfriends do when out of nowhere he blurted, "I can't work for 25 years and get the corner office. Even though there's perks galore and a private seating lounge area in the executive bathroom with imported Italian marble, you're still in close proximity to a cube farm, endless feelings of intense insecurity and people that are all too eager to cut your throat".

It occurred to me that even the guys at the top of the money grubbing food chain don't always want to be there. And what if your corner office only has a shitty view of the parking lot? I write that most metaphorically, of course. Things just don't always look the way we think they will when we get there.

I'm still letting this conversation marinate in my brain... after all, there are far worse things than trying something new. Questions are already spawning uncontrollably inside of my mental cloud. What if one day I'd get my priorities straight? Why am I not spending the majority of my time with the people I love? How can I change that? If I'm not finding a way to do work I love for a living, why don't I just do it for free - BECAUSE I LOVE DOING IT?

All good questions, self. Keep thinking.

Just try not to look him in the eye...

2012-08-07T18:44:00.000-06:00

If I ever met her (with the aid of a time machine), June Cleaver would punch me hard in the face.

Your husband arrives home from work. He walks through the front door with weighted feet and you're standing right there at the perfect moment, giddy to greet him. He's had a very long, trying day and is completely eager to come home to decidedly greener pastures (i.e. you). He lets out a great big sigh of relief that the work day is done and gazes affectionately over to you. You're ecstatic to see him too. You put the basket of freshly folded laundry down on the floor and move in for an embrace. He's home, you're happy, it's all just apple pie! Isn't it?

Right before you get to the part where you're imagining yourself in a 1960's episode of Leave it to Beaver, you realize that your laundry isn't clean at all. Infact, you've just barely started to load the washer at 4:30 in the afternoon. Never mind that June Cleaver would have dinner on the table, you haven't been to the grocery store in weeks. Now, you'll have to order out.

And what's that you're wearing? It's not an apron, or a dress, or a matching pantsuit. It's not even faded jeans and a crumpled t-shirt. No dear, you haven't cleaned, cooked or even dressed yourself today. That's why you're still clad in wrinkled pajamas and hair done up in a scrunchie. A freaking scrunchie for crying out loud! A scrunchie!

Your husband narrows his brow and begins to squint in your general direction. Your once happy mate is now examining exactly what it is he's come home to. When he first walked through the door, his expression excitedly read, "This is what I have!" and sadly digressed to a somber, "This is what I get".

From then until now has felt like an eternity inside your head, but really, it has only taken a couple of minutes to shift the mood from a once gleeful exchange, to a disappointing, "Same shit, different day" head shake.

Women everywhere cringe at your lackluster failure to run a household and work from home in parallel. Luckily, it's only Monday. Tomorrow, you say, I'll be better.

On telling a "Technical Expert" they are mistaken...

2012-07-13T11:54:00.001-06:00

SuperNerd: You have to do it like jeopardy... "This is what you do before you wreck yo self."
Me: ...
SuperNerd: "What is check yo self, Alex?"

I HATE answering the door... when it's cold.

2012-06-26T17:32:00.000-06:00

I'm working. I'm messaging away on my laptop and the speaker phone is full of mixed personalities discussing the day's business. I take a big drink of coffee. The door bell rings. Coffee shoots out my nose.

I can't run upstairs without being detected by the visitor (whomever it is) to put on more clothes, and the dog has already run out front to announce that we're home. I check myself out in the mirror in my office. It's noon. I'm wearing pajamas and a ribbed tank top. No bra. NO BRA!!!!! Gah, I hate answering the stupid door.

Arms folded out in front of me, I muddled through an unexpected visit (and lunged for my yoga jacket from the coat closet at the soonest opportunity). I need a better plan than this. If I'm going to be lazy all day and not get dressed, I at least need some backup clothes stashed in a drawer or shelf nearby.

On Being Domestically Inept...

2012-06-11T11:44:00.000-06:00

Last week I decided to surprise my husband by popping in a load of laundry for him. Though I primarily work from home, ruining clothes with machinery is one of those tasks that luckily doesn't fall to my lot. At the last minute, one of my meetings was cancelled and I thought it would be quick and helpful to dry a load of jeans.

I grabbed a big handful of denim and moved toward the new dryer we purchased a few months ago (when the old one pooped out). With arms full of wet, heavy jeans, I became instantly (and most unexpectedly) dumbfounded. "How do you open the damn thing?" I stood there stared at it. There's no handle. There's no sticker or arrow that says, "Start here, you idiot!"

Frustrated, I shoved the clothes back into washer. I've been a complex network engineer for a lifetime, why is this baffling me all of a sudden? Yes, it took me a minute to get sorted, and I felt like a complete imbecile all the while. Turns out, I'm just not the domestic type.

To save myself from further humility, I'm keeping my distance from kitchen appliances for now, too.

DIY Fashion: The Mod Podge Shoe

2012-05-30T08:17:00.000-06:00

Being an independent spirit, I'm always looking for ways to do things on my own. When I go shopping or to art fairs, I always point to great pieces I like and say, "Ya know, I can easily make that at home!" And it's absolutely true, if I had the time, the space and no cell phone from work or small children screaming in my ear, I could totally kick some crafty ass.

Already, my list of crafty to-do projects is booked out well enough into my retirement 20 years from now! However, my super crafty obsession of the moment has a rapidly approaching deadline. Denver Comic-Con is in two weeks which means I better start moving the needle on my Wonder Woman decoupage high heels!

I'll post some photos of my work when I get closer to real progress, but in the mean time, here's my inspiration fresh from awesome crafters on the internet:

The Diary of Dave's Wife

Mod Podge Rocks

She Knows

WICKED. Like the Witch...

2012-05-21T08:05:00.000-06:00

Scenario: Working from the San Francisco office a couple of weeks ago.

Can you guess who's who?

It's a not-so-secret fact that I have a crush on shiny red shoes. Red-blue shoes, in fact. Stiletto, stacked heel or wedge, no matter. And a strange big city is always a good place to try out experimental fashion, is it not? So being on the road finally lent me the nerve to take my red, ruffled patent leather Steve Madden stems for a day on the town.

Mine was an obvious ensemble: black, white and red. It's classic, easy and still fun. My beauty regimen mimicked the attire: black winged-out eyeliner, a shimmery white paint pot on the lids and a powerful crimson lip.

I was feelin' all like that chick from Bitchin' Kitchen (minus the mad kitchen skillz), all hip in a Social Distortion rockabilly kind of way. But then one of the dudes from work totally killed my fashion buzz. He said, "Hey, didn't the wicked witch from the Wizard of Oz sport that exact same outfit?"

I was thrown! "What? Which witch are you talking about?" He was persistent with, "You know, the one with the house on top of her?" Then I gave him my gnarliest stink eye and said, "Are you calling me WICKED???"

Stunned, he stood silent and big-eyed for just a second. Then immediately, I started in, "Because I totally am... so that would probably be okay." Between us? It was a great comparison, and a little too accurate to dispute.Yet another fashion disaster played out on a larger than needed stage.

Bottom line: Instead of looking chic, I dress like a witch and give a monsterous stink eye.

Eye Candy - The Fast Path to Wealth and Happiness?

2012-05-18T23:13:00.003-06:00

Scenario: Yet another colorful conversation with my girlfriend Bubba. She (still) calls me Bubba Jr. and insists on dispensing her worldly wisdom to me from goodness knows where...

Her: Oh Bubba Jr. you are not smart...
Me: ...(rolling eyes)...
Her: You need to dye your hair blonde. And marry a CEO.
Me: That is ridiculous! What does being eye candy have to do with making it in life? And why marry a CEO when I can carry my damn self?
Her: You are so stubborn. Why do you always do things the hard way?

Um hello, side note! Bubba know's I'm already married and still suggests crazy things (mostly) in jest. Though my husband might be glad to unload me and all that drama - it's too late. He's already stuck with me. :)

Things That Provoke Resume Updates...

2012-05-07T10:10:00.003-06:00

Image: www.theatlantic.com

Scenario: Upon answering my phone first thing Monday morning.
Bubba to me: I would rather be on welfare than have your job. Even if it paid a million dollars...
I'm serious.

Interesting. Now, get back to work?

Heart of Haiti: Every Mother Works...

2012-04-20T10:21:00.000-06:00

This Mother's Day, I'm working with Clever Girls in support of Macy's Heart of Haiti to shine a light on the "trade, not aid" program, which provides sustainable income to Haitian artisans struggling to rebuild their lives and support their families after the 2010 earthquake.

In my life I have been so fortunate to be surrounded by many strong, capable, independent women. It's their life's lessons and wisdom that have helped me get through some of my most trying days. Most thankfully, I think about the sound, loving advice from the amazing women who have influenced me and I can always find a snippet of strength to keep going forward and not feel so alone.

Here's a few of my favorite lessons on how to survive being a mother:

1. Every Mother Works. (from my mother, Rose) It doesn't matter if you stay home to run a household and raise kids or if you're out there hustling an important gig to pay the bills. There isn't a mother out there who doesn't work super duper hard. Amid all the political hullabaloo about women who work and others who work harder, we need to appreciate the women who invest in their homes and family and put it at the forefront of their lives. In the same vein, we also need to cheer on the mothers who get out there and make the bacon, then bring it home to cook it. Sometimes working moms like to think we're the only moms who work hard, but it's not that simple. I know a single working mom who works 45 hours a week and still finds time to do homework with her 3 boys then drive them to boy scouts and sports. I eat a big piece of humble pie every time I think of her. You should too.

2. Just relax. (from my friend Heather F.) Quit obsessing over the perfect private or charter school for your kids. Stop helicopter parenting your children and picking out their colleges before they know what they want to do with their lives. Instead, just aim to show them the fun that is inherent in learning and being curious. Spend quality time getting to know them and understanding their interests. Be content that your child is doing the best they can. Every kid learns at their own pace, so instead of pressuring your daughter to read at a college level while she's in 6th grade, find a great story or book series that you'll enjoy together. Savor the experience and take solace in knowing that things will just work out.

image: http://walkingfit.ucr.edu

3. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. (from Virginia, my mother in law) During those times when we feel like we're not meeting our life's goals, we're too paralyzed by heartbreak or are consumed by life's twists and turns, it can feel so hard to move on. Virginia, who is a master of personal reinvention, said it best when I asked her how to get out of a rut. She said, "You do what comes next. Sometimes that may only involve putting one foot in front of the other, and at other times it's important to just keep breathing."

Bottom line: As women of strength, we do what we can with what we've got. That makes each of us remarkable in our own beautiful way. Dear readers, have an amazing Mother's Day. Go honor the women you love!

Thank you to Macy's Heart of Haiti for sponsoring my participation in this “Share Your Heart" promotion. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Five Amazing Finds: Beauty Prep for Spring's Busy Event Season

2012-04-17T09:29:00.005-06:00

Though I only featured 5 items, I came home with a boatload of awesomeness!

Thanks to Walgreens for underwriting this post. I was paid as a member of the Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all mine. Visit http://www.discoverbeautywithin.com/.

With all of the warm weather rolling in (welcome back, sunshine!), every girl can stand to do some quick and effective beauty prep for Spring's Busy Event Season. I'm a huge fan of looking great while enjoying the new Spring trends and doing it all within my budget!

Finding products that make an instant difference to your look or multi-purpose products that work really well is intoxicating. Have you ever had a crush on a beauty product? I have! On that note, here's some products I found at Walgreens that will get you from zero to gorgeous in no time at all:

1. Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Face Lotion with SPF 30
Before you can really make a beauty look work, you need to start with a clean canvas. I love that this moisturizer pulls double duty with broad spectrum SPF. It's great for outdoor events or soccer games with the kiddos. It nourishes your skin and protects you from wicked UV rays at the same time. Ka-pow!

2. Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter
Nothing looks prettier than a fresh, colorful lip with just a hint shine. These balmmy-lipsticks are very clever. They're pigmented enough to classify as a lipstick, and oh so moisturizing like a lip balm. If drying winter weather has taken it's toll on your poor, chapped lips, make up for it with this cheerful hydration in a tube. I suggest Creamsicle for warm tones and Sweet Tart on cool.

3. Mabelline Color Show in Orange Fix
After a month of fixating on all of those glorious tangerine, coral and pink shades on the runways, it's nice to bring the trend closer to home with the beautiful nailcolors that were on sale! I used Orange Fix with a clear topcoat this weekend and felt total chicness overcome me. Everyone oogled and asked where I got such a great shade, but nobody believed it was under five bucks.

4. Cover Girl Liquiline Blast in Brown Blaze
This is very easily one of my new favorite eyeliners. Essentially, it's a way to create a great smoky eye with a single product! The liner blends effortlessly and the smudger tip at the other end of the liner is so easy to use. If you've ever wondered how to create the perfect smoky eye, check out Pat McGrath's how-to video here.

5. Rimmel London Scancaleyes Mascara in Black
We couldn't round out the list without any drama, now could we? I took a chance on this mascara and I'm so glad I did. Two coats and sure enough, my lashes were long, full and ready to be batted at people in exchange for getting my way.

I hope my list of great beauty finds from Walgreens inspires you to get a rockin' beauty routine for Spring. It's so easy! When you're hopping between picnics, parties or a night on the town, what are your treasured beauty staples?

The Pinterest Punch

2012-04-16T07:58:00.001-06:00

Image: collegegloss.com

(Scenario: A dinner discussion among work friends one night in San Francisco)
Him: So, what's the whole deal about Pinterest? People are talking about it, what's it used for?

Me: Well, it's a great new platform to visually share ideas, interests and inspiration on the web. You can tag anything by "pinning it" so you can come back to it later or share it with other people.

Him: Oh. Ok. So like a bookmark?

Me: Hmmm. Well, yeah, sort of. But everyone else can see all of your cool pins... and they can "like" them or pin them also. And it integrates with Facebook and Instagram.

Him: So they can bookmark your bookmarks too? Or you can post each other's bookmarks on Facebook?

Me: Yes! But it sounds useless when you say it like that. Pins are much prettier than bookmarks. It's so visually stimluating! And there's no limit to what you can pin. I can pin all my fave tech articles or widgets.
Him: Yeah, I have bookmarks for all of those things.

Note: I may not be able to convince anyone else about a digital inspiration board, but I so love Pinterest. I wish I had more time to pin around, in fact, I'm going there now.

Yeah, but what about lunch?

2012-04-13T11:23:00.006-06:00

Image: cheapassfood.com

(Scenario: Instant message exchange with one of my nerds)

Nerdboy: Hi. R we still on 4 lunch 2day? What RU in the mood 4?
Me: The awful truth? SMASHBURGER. I feel so ashamed.
Nerdboy: Serio?
Me: Si.
Nerdboy: Well I just had 5 guys last night.
Me: And you don't know any of their names, do you? Now let's get a greasy burger!

Music of the moment - New, old sounding tracks...

2012-04-04T18:43:00.003-06:00

Gotye- Somebody That I Used to Know
This dude's voice sparks vibrant images of a younger, Police-era Sting. Amazing song to boot, no wonder it's slated for a Glee appearance next week! It easily blends with everything else on your most rockin' playlist and it even has a humble 90's alt vibe.

M83 - Midnight City
It's Saturday night and you're getting ready in the bathroom mirror. Your hair is perfect, your ensemble is fitted and fierce. Make up is flawless, pretty and that annoying blemish magically vanished! You're meeting friends for a fun night out, the planets are aligned... and this song is playing. Love!

J Cole - Can't Get Enough
This song makes me feel like a kid from the hood...which is another story for another day. It's official though, I've pulled out my ghetto kicks, a pair of torn jeans and some big ass sunglasses. And I can magically rap along to all of the words. In my head, at least.

One last fun track? Check out Call Me Levels on soundcloud. Happy listening!

Hey Internet, how was your weekend?

2012-04-03T10:59:00.003-06:00

I don't know about you, but my weekend (and my camera) was set for some full on DRAMA. On Friday, I did some amazing drag make up looks for my friends Serra Tonyn and Mondo, which is something I've always wanted to do. Mondo did his own eyes because I ran into some technical difficulties with Serra, but thankfully, they both looked incredibly beautiful and full of life!

Mondo is fresh from winning the Project Runway All Star Finale and since he won the whole kit and kaboodle, I got to ask a little about what's next for him. It was so great to catch up with Serra, who is always in the middle of an amazing adventure. Sometimes I think her life is a crazed but glamorous fashion roller coaster! Drag is the most challenging of beauty transformations and it's the ultimate litmus test for a make up artist. Here's hoping I keep building my beauty chops to put it all together more seamlessly. I can hear Ru-Paul inside my head saying, "And don't... eff it up!"

Saturday involved soccer games with my wee ones then later a Project Runway Fashion Show by Forever Darling 5. I got to hang with my rock star friend Mel and her long time hair dresser, Donna. They were fun, laid back and ready to just soak in some good times! Lots of fashion was out for show and it was an excellent chance to see how other creatives present their work.

Wine and cupcakes aside, isn't it astounding the pressure we put on ourselves to dress for fashion shows? I knew that in spite of all of the colorful and strategic mis-matchery I laid out on my bed, at the very last minute, I'd wussy out and wear something basic and black. It's my favorite (and most unfortunate) fashion cop out. How about you?

And what better way to round out a weekend of overflowing emotions and visual stimulation than going to a Spanish opera? A dear friend of ours is one of the talented voices in the "Florencia en el Amazonas" production at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. We were so excited to hear her glorious voice and cheer her on and Michelle surprised us with a very cool backstage tour. Yet again, I was clueless about what to wear to a Sunday opera. Is it similar to morning wedding attire? Are you supposed to put something floral or heather grey on standby?

Either way, lots of really fun and amazing things happened this weekend and I was just glad to be part of it. :)

Are you looking for more fantastic events to delve into in Denver? Gush over the Frock Out fashions at the Denver Public Library on April 19th. Also, you can get the best beauty fix around at the Nordstorm beauty trend event on April 28th, which will feature national make up artists from Dior and YSL.

Subtlety is an Art...

2012-03-08T12:31:00.000-07:00

Image: http://www.tampabay.com

Scenario: A phone call with my sister, who is always considered, "The fun one."
Her: I'm going to Las Vegas this weekend, do you have any cute, sexy dresses I can borrow?
Me: You never return things, so NO. Plus, you'd need some spanx to get into your old size.
Her: Oh hey, I did! Got one of those cincher things they advertise on TV.
Me: Really? Does it work?
Her: Yeah! I put it on with jeans and a t-shirt yesterday and my husband said, "Holy shit, where did all of your fat go?"
Me: Wow. You guys are going to make it. I can totally tell.

The For-gift Card

2012-02-06T18:08:00.000-07:00

(Scenario: A mind melding conversation with my mother)
Mom: Have you seen my coat?
Me: Which coat?
Mom: My winter coat. The one Lisa bought me for my first birthday.
Me: Like from when you were a baby?
Mom: No, silly. When I first met her years ago. You know what I meant!
Me: Are you talking about the winter coat that I bought you???
Mom: Oh... yeah, maybe it was you who got it for me... Hmmm.
Me: Geez, mom. So glad I made an impression! I sense somebody's just getting a gift card next time around.
Mom: Yeah, that's great. Get me a forget card.
Me: No mom. I said a gift... You know what? Yes! You will be getting a for-gift card from me. That way you can forget I got you anything at all.

Fun things to do in Denver in 2012

2012-02-05T09:16:00.003-07:00

In the grand scheme of things, there's a pretty small number of things that irk me. One of them is hearing all about a super fun party or a really great event after the fact. Being out of the know absolutely makes me twitch.

So, in the spirit of planning ahead and making sure that you and I are at the right place at the right time, here's a handful of must-do fun things in Denver in 2012 thus far. Let me know if you're planning to attend any of these events and I'll be sure to say hello!

Goodwill Clothing Swap and Fashion Show - Feb 8

Wine and Chocolate Weekend at Bonacquisti - Feb 11 and 12

Nordstrom Beauty on Location - March 10-11

Frock Out - April 20th

Chocolate Festival - May 11-12

Denver Food and Wine Classic - Not yet announced for 2012

Denver County Fair - August 10-12

Fashion's Night Out 2012 - Sept 6

Denver International Wine Festival - November 7-10

What's on your social calendar in 2012? Does your free time seem to center around fashion, chocolate and wine?

Friday Fabulousness: Come Alive

2012-01-27T13:26:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday friends! I'm still in observation mode over here, but small snippets of my brain are starting to reemerge. *wink* I certainly hope all is well with you and that you're making the very best of this unseasonably warm January!

Thought I'd pass along a little inspiration from etiquette of a lady which reinforces all the amazing qualities that make you, you. Personally, I've been chewing on this topic quite a lot over the past few months, so I hope it gives you a friendly nudge too. Have a super great weekend!

It's Late, but Happy 2012!

2012-01-24T12:00:00.002-07:00

Fall/Winter 2009-2010, ‘Coco Cocoon’ Collection designed by Karl Lagerfeld

Hello dear readers! Here's hoping the new year is already being very kind to you and that you're getting used to dating your documents with 2012. I barely bought a new calendar and goodness, time is so fleeting.

At the moment, I'm in a bit of a social cocoon (or coma, as it were) and I haven't been updating any of my social media tools since before my three week long vacation in December. I'll eventually break out of my protective shell and make friends with the internet again, but it's just so warm and cozy here in isolation!

Thanks so much for stopping by, updates will be posted soon!

The Yoga Moms...

2011-12-12T08:50:00.005-07:00

Photo: http://scopeblog.stanford.edu

Early this fall I coined them, "The yoga moms." They're perennially beautiful, well groomed and happy. I see them every morning when I drop off my kids for school. Typically clad in black yoga pants and a baby tee, is it possible they're oblivious to how amazing their slim figures compliment each other collectively? I mean seriously, does skinny beget even more skinny?

On an ordinary school morning, I rush my kids into their classes, give hugs and kisses, then rush back home to start my workday. My mane is unkempt, I'm usually wearing sweatpants or old, faded jeans and a sweatshirt. Oversized sunglasses keep me from having to come face to face with a yoga mom who at 7:30 am is already fresh faced, donning mascara and a warm bronzer glow. I usually have zero makeup on and look completely washed out, or possibly have gooey remnants from the previous day's efforts.

The yoga moms all congregate outside in a group after the morning bell rings. They have coffee in hand and mysteriously have time to dally with the other moms before their ritual of hitting the gym. My first instinct is to mock them. My rationale begins with, "Of course you look amazing! You're a stay at home mom with no kids to look after during the day. Even if you sat on the couch and ate a box of doughnuts, you'd have enough time to work off the calories before school let out." But a yoga mom would never eat a doughnut... or any of the junk food I allow myself and justify as "fast, easy and necessary" because I simply don't have the time to eat healthy. Cop-out supreme!

So it dawns on me that I don't look like a yoga mom for a variety of reasons, namely because I don't make fitness or nutrition important in my life. Whether you're a working mom or not, you'll only accomplish goals in your life once you make them important. Finally, I get it. Now I have to make a plan, find the time and execute. I already envision the need to recruit professionals to get started. Though I wouldn't ordinarily contact trainers or nutritionists or join a gym, this is something I cannot successfully tackle with a workout DVD in the living room and a container of protein shakes. The thought of showing my jiggly-jaggly to a trainer pains me so, but how else can I create the element of accountability?

On many occasions I've mentally laughed off the yoga moms. Maybe they're obsessive with fitness and like to flaunt their super skinny selves to the rest of us. Good for them! While I have no intention of being part of their brood, making fun of them has caused me to examine my own bad habits and take action to become a better version of myself.

Seeing Red...

2011-11-12T09:57:00.002-07:00

Coco Chanel once said, "Show me a man of originality, and I will show you a liar." Fact.

So if the empress of fashion willingly admits that all creatives are often inspired and pay homage to each other, I can certainly admit that I want to bite off so many of the great Fall/Winter trends. Case in point? Everything red.

Note to self (and everyone else): Go on, girl! Be bold. Even a scarlet lip spells out b-a-d-a-s-s.