Hey-yo! My first giveaway is here! And I’m so excited! I’m so excited! I’m so… scared. (What if no one participates?)

Mrs. T – the Founder and Contributing Editor, Mrs-O.org – has a new book that launched on October 28. Can I just say… it’s awesome. Take a look:

Book Description:

Celebrated for her style and substance, Michelle Obama has transformed the role of first lady and become a 21st century icon, attracting attention from all over the world. The qualities so admired in her – intelligence, strength and charisma – radiate through her personal style, which has united accessibility with high-wattage glamour. The clothes, like the woman, feel both familiar and inspirational. Readily mixing high-end labels with more affordable brands, with a focus on craftsmanship and artistry, Mrs. O has elevated the notion of real value and ushered in a new era of “fashion democracy”.

Building on the success of Mrs-O.org – the Web site that chronicles Michelle Obama’s style – MRS. O: THE FACE OF FASHION DEMOCRACY takes a closer look at America’s modern style icon, featuring more than 120 photographs of the first lady and delving into the back story of her clothes and accessories. It also goes behind the scenes with interviews from her favorite designers, including Isabel Toledo, Jason Wu, Michael Kors, Maria Pinto, Peter Soronen and others.

Opening with a brief overview of Michelle Obama’s early years, the book goes on to provide rarely seen photos from behind-the-scenes on the presidential primary trail through the 2008 Democratic National Convention, the monumental events of election night, the inauguration and early chapters of life in the White House. The final chapter hears the opinions of Mrs. O’s adoring fans – giving the last word to the people.

Original photographs of Michelle Obama’s most iconic looks, along with commentary from fashion experts, top off this tactile visual feast. Woven together with sketches and illustration inspired by the first lady, the book reveals the story of a new era of American fashion.

Sound pretty awesome, right?

Well, Mrs. T is generously offering one reader of Mollytics (that’s you) a hardcover copy of her new book!

How to enter: Watch the YouTube clip (above) and write a comment about why you’re excited about the book/what you love about Michelle Obama’s fashion. Do you love her brains? Beauty? Her regal profile? Clothes? Her kickin’ necklace choices? Penchant for JCrew? Affinity for hamburgers? Her uber cool demeanor? I could, obviously, go on and on and on here… but that’s your job.

You have until 5:00 p.m. EST Wednesday, November 11, to enter. One winner will be picked by Random.org and announced on Thursday, November 12. Please leave an email address so I can contact you if you win. Otherwise I’ll be forced to keep the book all for myself. Sike. But still – leave an email address.

I can’t wait to read why you have Michelle Obama love… in the meantime, if you just can’t wait to try and win a copy, you can find the book at your local bookseller (always the best option… support local businesses!) and online sites, like Amazon.

I’ll leave you with one of my most favorite pictures of Michelle Obama.

I promised I’d share the two Saturday Night Live sketches that LL and I are obsessed with. Both feature the fabulous Kristen Wiig, remember? The first one was Judy Grimes. The second one… is Gilly:

Oh lord, I just cannot get enough. Totally hysterical. I think if anyone else did it, it wouldn’t have been half as funny. I love the way she moves during here “theme song.” I love the face, the hair, the outfit. I love it! Though I have to say, when Drew Barrymore guest starred as a foreign exchange student, Gigli, it was pretty spectacular as well… and I don’t care what that may or may not say about me. Mira:

Oooh baby, I’m so excited to tease a giveaway that I’m going to announce tomorrow AM!

"first" not first

It’s my “first,” but not my first… and that’s because I did one over a year ago with decidedly mixed results. I just don’t think enough Wilco-lovers read my blog… which is fine because I only write about them once-in-a-while. I wrote about some lessons learned back when the giveaway concluded. Let’s revisit them:

What did I learn? I learned that I probably shouldn’t run a contest on my blog, since I just blog about my life and the things I like… no specific topic or subject mater. So it’s not like a ton of Wilco fans know to check out my blog.

And I’m okay with that.

Hmmm. Points take, past-Molly, but I’m going to give it another whirl now. I have more readers, more eFriends (thank you, Internets), a more universally exciting product to give away, and more promotion ideas. This giveaway, I’m hoping, will be decidedly different and way more successful.

Intrigued? I hope so. I’m super excited about it myself.

So be sure to check back tomorrow AM for more information. Happy Sundaying… and GO RAVENS!

(Photo source: Heaven’s Gate (John))

iced coffee

I know I previously claimed that I don’t drink iced coffee in cold weather. I was pretty adamant about it, in fact. But I’m a liar. I do drink it in fall and wintry weather, and the older I get, the more I prefer my coffee strong and cold (like RP once said, is just the way she likes her mens). I’m getting off topic.

Lately, I’ve been trying to knock off my Caribou habit because it’s really just ridiculous how much dinero I spend there. One of the ways I’m trying to do this is to brew my own iced coffee at home. If I have the time, I make coffee-ice cubes… but usually I don’t have the patience to brew two pots of coffee. ‘CAUSE I’M LAZY, PEOPLE… THAT’S WHY. So I was surfin’ the Internets for some other ideas, and I came across Matt Yglesias’s suggestion, via the Internet Food Association (via Serious Eats):

What you need to do is fill a pitcher with a mixture of water and coffee (if you’re grinding your own, aim for a coarse grind) in a ratio of about 1 cup of coffee to about 4.5 cups of water. Stir it up to mix, and stick it in the fridge for, ideally, a 12 hour overnight brew. In the morning, strain the mixture. If your strainer isn’t fine-meshed enough (mine isn’t) you can supplement it with a paper coffee filter. Now you’ve got a delicious pitcher of coffee concentrate. Pour some over an ice cube and enjoy! Most authorities I’ve consulted actually suggest that you dilute the concentrate with some water or milk. I don’t, personally, find that to be necessary since the cold-brewing process leaves you with a coffee that’s all singing flavors and no acid and bitterness, but who am I to contradict the authorities if that’s how you prefer to drink it.

Yum. Sounds like it’ll hit the spot. I shall try it on Sunday… without milk. Milk is for losers and for people that can tolerate their lactose.

(Photo source: [ embr ])

… But that doesn’t mean I don’t think they’re still totes gorge to look at! Mira:

(Photo source: Reuben Miller via FFFFOUND!)

I feel like this Saturday Night Live character, “blogger” for bitchplease.com, at the moment:

… and for the record, I’m not proud of it. Here’s how we’re similar:

1. There’s a constant stream of coffee drinks on my desk. I can’t work without them.
2. I find myself muttering “Bitch, please” after practically every press call I get. (To myself, not out loud. That would be rude.)
3. Sometimes I look a bit of a mess when I come to work… on the days when I know I won’t have to “see” any “people” outside of work people. It’s 99.9% women where I work so it “doesn’t matter.” Just don’t tell my mom.
4. I’m a cardigan lover… I’ll admit it.
5. Sometimes, when I’m writing material for other audiences, I feel as corny as the bitch, please blogger. It’s a necessary part of my real job.
6. And yet still… my nails are always painted.

Oh well. ‘Tis the life of a blogger, eh?

BTW, I wish they didn’t get rid of Michaela Watkins, the actress that plays this character and others that I loved… including Hoda Kotb from the Today Show, from Saturday Night Live. I really liked her.  Ahh well.

Oh! How I missed you both! Jed… Abbey… welcome back! Good call from the Health Care for America Now folks in getting them to make this video:

From the HCAN YouTube page:

The House will vote on their historic health care bill tomorrow. Now is the time to call your Representative in Washington and make sure they know you stand for quality, affordable health care for all.

Actors Martin Sheen and Stockard Channing, who’ve had some on-screen “experience” with politics, have recorded a special message for Health Care for America Now supporters for this moment.

Call 1-877-264-HCAN (4226)

Learn more here.

Much love for President Obama, obviously, but I have always wished Jed Bartlett was president… or at the very least Matthew Santos. I’m a huge fan, as the picture from my office wall will attest:

Santos/McGarry

One of my friends from the Richmond, VA campaign I ran in 2005 gave that bumper sticker to me. I love it, but didn’t want to put it on my car to get ruined.

Folks might also notice I have an affinity for Obama and – my most favorite Congressman in the whole world – Rep. Patrick Murphy. He’s the best.

riddle me this

Well? Are you?

H/t to The Wife of an Artist for giving me instructions for my path to happiness.

It’s kind of outstanding and is certainly everything a political/pop culture geek like me loves. Lin-Manuel Miranda, he of In the Heights fame (also fab – not that I’ve seen it, but it killed on the Tony Awards and it’s forever been on my list of things to see), is kind of my new obsession.

From Lin-Manuel Miranda’s YouTube page description:

My performance at the White House Poetry Event, courtesy of WhiteHouse.gov. This is the premiere of a new song from The Hamilton Mixtape, my next big writing project. It’s a hip-hop concept album about the life and death of Alexander Hamilton. I’m accompanied by Tony/Grammy-winning genius Alex Lacamoire. It was one of the highlights of my life to perform for The President, The First Lady and the First Family. I’m so grateful to the White House for making it available. Enjoy.

How great is that? A hip-hop concept album about the life and death of Alexander Hamilton! GENIUS. I can’t wait until this project is ready for mass consumption. It’ll be like Sarah Vowell books for my ears and entertainment.

grease lightning

This shall be my response to all work-related requests made of me today. Consider this fair warning.

H/t to the Keep Calm Gallery.