Are You Eyeballing Me?
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: L.A.Colors Eyeshadow Palette
Topic: Beauty Thoughts & Reviews

Recently, I've been simply bored by my eyeshadow palettes. Since April 2008, I've been using a truly awesome make-up palette from Markwin's cosmetics/The Color Institute. It included:

 

• 12 lip glosses in pink- and brown-colored based neutral colors
• 4 blushes ranging from bubble gum pink to barely-there mauve
• 16 cream eyeshadows in pale metallics and etheral neutrals
• 12 poweder eyeshadows that read darker than they wear
• 2 super-blendable eyepencils in brown and black
• 2 super-blendable lippencils in plum and coral and 
• 1 passable mascara.

 

It has been an awesome experience for me. The darker and metallic cream eyeshadows had great lasting power as eyeliners, but faded quickly when applied as shadow. The powders lasted well, but where a little too pale and neutral behind my eye glasses. I barely used the super sheer lip glosses on the left side of the palette, because it gave my mouth a pretty gleam but no color which is what I want from lip gloss. On scale of 1 to ten, I give this palette a firm 7 for being reliable. However, I'm bored with it. It's autumn now and I want my eyes to pop in outrageous colors. Yet, I didn't want to spend a ton on designer eyeshadow brands that I might get sick off in a few months.

As autumn transitions into winter and the season's color palette transitions from rich colors to washed out grays and blacks, I knew that I needed something to keep feeling bright during the long dark days. So, I wandered into one of my local beauty supply shops and found the best and cheapest eyeshadow palettes. For less than $5, I walked out with ten shadows featuring colors like neon pink, deep aqua, neon yellow, and purple. The brand is called L.A. Colors. 

At $1.99 per palette, I was a little nervous that I was going to get crappy quality and a rash. But I was wrong. L.A. Colors metallic eye shadows go on smooth, rich, and bright. They colors are bright on the lids but not as severe a neon as it reads in the package. 

My first and most favorite palette was Tease (see below)

 

Another Hot One
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: Crazy For You By Jennifer Crusie
Topic: Book Reviews
Crazy for You by Jennifer Crusie

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I've been waiting months for this and my literary mouth is drooling....

October 14,2008 Within the last two days, I've been zipping through this novel. I've cleared something like 132 pages in two days which is such a feat considering my schedule.

Crazy For You (C4Y) has driven me crazy in a good way. You've heard about the butterfly effect? When reliable art teacher Quinn McKenzie dumps her boring boyfriend in search of positive change, she inspires nearly everyone she encounters in the small town of Tibbet to change as well. Some residents change for the best, and some change for the worst. The only person who is not willing to change is Quinn's inflexible ex-boyfriend Bill who will not take "no" for answer.

C4Y is so chock full of characters that it can be difficult to remember who is who. Some of the characters aren't really there to move the story along but to fill out personality of the town. C4Y is also one of the darkest Jennifer Crusie novels I've read. The stalker storyline kept me on edge as much as the sexual tension between main character Quinn and her hot ex brother-in-law, Nick.

All in all, I couldn't put this book down. I'm definitely a Crusie-o-phile now.



View all my reviews.

Run, Vote, Win
Mood:  d'oh
Now Playing: Why I'm Voting for Barack Obama

Let’s not make a mistake, I am supporting the Barack Obama/Joe Biden presidential ticket.

Admittedly, I was originally campaigning for John Edwards. I did not like Hilary Clinton, because I felt she lied when she originally ran for the junior New York State senate seat. She said she had no presidential aspirations. What? I saw a mile away that she did, and had no problem with it if she only had said it outright. I had nothing for or against Barack Obama, because I simply didn’t know him. I knew John Edwards from his previous presidential run, and liked him. Also, I liked that he had an average-sized, older  woman as a wife. (What? Like you don’t make some choices based on shallow reasons.) But after John Edwards dropped out of the race, I became a Barack supporter. 

I believe that Senator Obama can lead us out of the darkness of the past seven years that is George W. Bush. I believe he will get our soldiers out of a war that we should have never been in and are not winning. (Make no mistake, we duped into supporting this war. There were no weapons of mass destruction. There was no connection between 9/11/01 and Iraq. Osama bin Laden was not in Iraq.) 

I believe that Senator Obama will restructure the government’s policies and funds to help the citizens of the United States more. I believe that education, healthcare, social security, the housing crisis, and the economy crisis will be significantly improved so lower-class and middle-class Americans will not have to suffer financially as much. I believe with the help of Senator Biden that Barack will help the United States gain back its international respect, and we will no longer be seen as bullies.

Here’s What Barack Obama Believes

 

• He is pro-Union. I’m a union member and come from a pro-Union family.
• 
  He believes in a free market economy but also defends social welfare policies like Social Security.
• 
  He supports equal pay.
• 
  He is opposed to education vouchers for private schools, and is for making public schools better.
• 
  He supports teaching theology but not creationism/intelligent design as scientific fact.
• 
  He wants to lower the United States’ consumption of oil and have cleaner energy alternatives.
• 
  He wants fair taxation meaning those who make the most money pay more taxes.
• 
  He wants to end the war in Iraq.
• 
  He is pro-Choice.
• 
  He supports GLBT civil unions, and doesn’t believe homosexuality is immoral.

• 
  He supports age and developmentally appropriate sex education in schools.

 

So come on, ya’ll, let’s vote and get this man

into office. He’s not just going to be Black America’s president but all of America’s president. He wants to make life better for all of us. John McCain resembles George W. Bush and we don’t want another four years of Bush, do we?

Save the Grease for Your Fries
Mood:  on fire
Now Playing: Avon: MagiX Face Perfector SPF 20
Topic: Beauty Thoughts & Reviews

I’ve been having so many thoughts swirling around in my head lately that I haven’t had the discipline to slow them down and commit at least one of them to a blog post. Well, a tiny lull at work has given me the opportunity to share. For the past three weeks, I’ve been using Avon’s new primer called MagiX Face Perfector SPF 20. I am simply in love with it.

 

I ordered it from Avon’s website, and got it an introductory price of $7.99. (I ordered two tubes!) This wonderful primer has kept my otherwise greasy t-zone looking semi-matte all day at work. It has even worked during some of the most humid days New York City’s Indian summer has thrown at me. Although I sometimes feel like my face is very shiny, the mirror tells me different.

 

Many of the reviewers online said that it can be worn without a moisturizer underneath. I only recommend this if your skin does not feel dry after you wash it. I use Neutrogena’s Oil Free daily moisturizer with SPF 15 around my smile lines, jaw line, neck and just underneath my eyes since those are the areas on my face that wrinkle easily; need a lot of sun protection; and rarely get shiny. After waiting 2-3 minutes for my skin to absorb the lotion, I rub a dime sized amount of MagiX into my cheeks, on my nose, chin and across my forehead. If I have enough time before work, I also dust a bit of loose powder all over my face to really set the matte look. (I suggest MaxFactor's ColorGenuis Blush or M.A.C. Mineralize Skinfinish applied with a kabuki brush really keep your face shine free.)

 

MagiX claims to reduce the appearance of pores with “patent-pending Optix [sic] Light-Diffusing Technology”; block shine for up to 10 hours (at least 6 hours for me); reduces the look of fine lines; and makes skin feel softer. I can testify that this is pretty much true for me. The topping on the cake is it has SPF 20, which is added aging protection. It is also one of the most affordable primers out there. (Smashbox’s famous primer costs almost $40.) I am totally in love with Avon right now. Brava! Let me know what your favorite primer is or if you've tried any of the products mentioned.

Blogs I Love
Mood:  not sure

Saleemah of the Mahogany Chic listed my blog as one of her favorites for which I am honored. After surfing her blog, I find that I dig hers too. So, I'm going to be a copycat blogger and list my seven favorite blogs to visit.

1. Kiki Overthinks Everything (What?! I love myself.)

2. Makeup Masala (Because she's cheap, like me and has weekly giveaways!)

3. Blaq Vixen Beauty (It's hard to buy make up as a black woman, the BVB gives good product recommendations.)

 4. Mahogany Chic

5. Belle-Noir (Because I miss my subscription to the plus-sized Black magazine, Belle from back in the days.)

6. The Budget Fashionista (She's a friend in my head!)

7. SparkleShelf (Because I am literally in love with this site.)

---

1. The nominated is allowed to put this picture on their blogs.

2. Link to the person who hearted you.

3. Nominate at least 7 other people and link to them.

4. Leave a message on those people's blog to make them aware that they're nominated.

Talking Fall Trends and Must Have Classics with The Budget Fashionista
Mood:  celebratory
Now Playing: Kathryn Finney: The Budget Fashionista
Topic: Beauty Thoughts & Reviews

Talking Fall Trends and Must Have Classics with The Budget Fashionista

by Kiki White

September 9, 2008

In the midst of New York Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and celebrations for the 5th anniversary of her famous website, thebudgetfashionista.com, Kathryn Finney took some time out to answer a few questions from yours truly. Enjoy!

 

---

Q. What are the five most dominant trends you're noticing for the Fall 2008 season? And, what are your tips for incorporating the looks without breaking the bank?

The five top trends are:

Flared/Wide Leg Pants: One of the hottest trends for fall is the wide leg pant. This can work for everyone- make sure that the width of the flare is proportionate your body type and look for pants with Right technology available at Fashion Bug, Lane Bryant, and Catherines. 

Must Have Accessories: The structured clutch, The Female Fedora, The Patterned Tight, feathered headbands. All three trends are very affordable ways to update your wardrobe without going bankrupt. These items can be found at places like Old Navy, Wal-Mart, and Payless for well under $20.

Superhero Looks: Inspired by Summer 2008's superhero mega hits like Hancock and The Dark Knight, superhero looks incorporating back slim pants, tough leather or leather like jackets and dark make-up are all key to pulling off this look. Get slim (but not skinny legged) fittings pants, Old Navy and faux leather bomber jackets from Target, Charlotte Russe, and JC Penneys.

Gray and purple:  Gray is this season's neutral and purple is this season's red.

Plaid: Plaid is back with a vengeance for fall from skirts to bomber jackets. Think prep school bad girl. You can find plaid jackets at Forever 21, Jc Penneys, and Macys.

Q. Speaking of breaking the bank, the economy is sluggish and some fashionistas are caught in a financial crunch. If there were only 1 item to buy this season, what would it be?

A gray winter coat. The farmer's alamanc says that we're headed for a cold winter, so a great gray coat is not only "in", but practical as well. Plus it's one of those trends that is both trendy and classic.

Q. Of the designers who are making lines at lower price points (e.g. Thakoon for Target Go International; Alice + Olivia for Payless Shoe Source; Patricia Field for HSN), whose Fall line (clothing or shoes) are you most looking forward to?

I'm looking forward to the Norma Kamali line at Wal-Mart.  I'm interested to see how a relatively high end designer translates their clothes to the ultimate mass market store. It's either going to be amazing and do for Wal-Mart what Isaac Mizrahi did for Target or it's going to fail miserably.

Q. Tim Gunn has one. Stacy and Clinton of TLC's What Not to Wear have one. And, Project Runway judge Nina Garcia also has a list of the essential items every woman must have in her wardrobe.  Now it is your turn. What essential items does The Budget Fashionista recommend that every woman have in her wardrobe?

There are ten things every Budget Fashionista must have in her closet.

- Black Suit. Either matching black skirt or black pants. Made out rayon material.

- White Cotton Dress Shirt. This is an important closet staple and can be both trendy (wear underneath your favorite t-shirt) and classic (wear it with a business suit).

- The Perfect Pair of Jeans. A great fitting par of jeans should be standard in every closet. Two pairs are even better. You don't have to spend a small fortune for these. Both Faded Glory (WalMart.com) and the Rider brand (Target and Wal-mart) are great-fitting jeans that cost less than $30.

- Pair of Plain Black Pumps. A pair of 1 to 2 inch plain black pumps can take you from the office to dinner.

- Black Dress. A closet staple, the dress should be made of a sturdy, but lightweight fabric like cotton/rayon blend. Avoid heavy wool fabrics which counteract the slimming effects of the color.

- T-shirts. Black, white, and a fun color. Perfect for layering as well as wearing alone, these shirts help stretch your closet way beyond its limits.  Make sure the t-shirts all have 1-2% spandex/lycra content which helps the shirts maintain their shapes.

- Tote Bag. Serves double duty as a briefcase during the week and a shopping bag during the weekends.

- Pair of Sneakers. One pair of sneakers that could also be worn both to workout in and for casual days like shopping.

- Trench Coat/All-Weather Coat.  Wear it as a coat or a dress. Look for a version with removable lining so that you increase usage.

- Another skirt or Bottom. A weekend staple, these pants add diversity to your outfits.

I choose these ten things because combined they make over 35 different outfits, which saves you both money and time.

Q. It has been reported that some luxury fashion designers dislike "get the look for less" stories in fashion magazines and on blogs, because it may encourage consumers to buy lower-priced imitations.  If one of these designers criticized your blog, what would your response be?

I know for a fact that the mass market lines of the designers is what keeps them afloat. In fact, the mass market lines can lead to the resurgence of their couture lines (ex: Isaac Mizrahi's line at Target led to the resurgence of his couture line). So, I would say to them that readers of The Budget Fashionista pay their rent and they really shouldn't bite the wallets that feed them.

Q. You're celebrating the 5th anniversary of your blog, www.thebudgetfashionista.com. Over the past five years, have you thrown caution to the wind and spent a hefty amount of money on a fashion item that you thought would be a classic but turned out not to be?

No. And it's really because of the cost per wear (the price of an item/ # times you'll wear it in a given period), forces me to think of what I am buying before I buy.

 

I'm Connecting....
Now Playing: MyBlog Log

Blink Once and You Won't Miss It
Mood:  irritated
Now Playing: Exceptionnel de Chanel Intense Volume and Curl Mascara
Topic: Beauty Thoughts & Reviews

By the grace of being on the Allure Expert Panels, I had the opportunity to try Chanel’s new mascara for free. I was very honored by the privilege to try Exceptionnel de Chanel Intense Volume and Curl Mascara. I used it steadfastly for ten days, before I gave up in disgust. Although the mascara gave me full and dark lashes, I found it unpleasant to use. Despite the directions at the Chanel website, I found it very difficult to apply the mascara with its unusual comb and bristle combo brush. Each day that I used it, I ended up with product on my eyelids or on my cheek. I tried blotting mascara on a napkin before I applied it, but it did not help. The mascara goes on very wet, and takes forever to dry. Because of this, it also smudges very easily. 

Once the mascara dried, I did get very full looking lashes. I did not get much separation or lengthening with this mascara, which I found disappointing. I have very short lashes, and lengthening is what I most look for in my mascara purchases. Despite the joy of getting to try this luxury brand mascara for free, I have to give it thumbs a down. 

 

Can You Spot the Reason Why?
Mood:  caffeinated
Now Playing: McCain's VP Choice

I'm not even going to point out why Sarah Palin is McCain's VP choice. Read this email from MoveOn.org and you'll figure it out.

---

Dear MoveOn member,

Yesterday was John McCain's 72nd birthday. If elected, he'd be the oldest president ever inaugurated. And after months of slamming Barack Obama for "inexperience," here's who John McCain has chosen to be one heartbeat away from the presidency: a right-wing religious conservative with no foreign policy experience, who until recently was mayor of a town of 9,000 people.

Huh?

Who is Sarah Palin? Here's some basic background:
She was elected Alaska 's governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience.

1. Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.

2. She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000. 3. Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.

4. She's doesn't think humans are the cause of climate change.

5. She's solidly in line with John McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy. She's pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won't be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska.

6. How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president. Then he offered her the position.

So Governor Palin is a staunch anti-choice religious conservative. She's a global warming denier who shares John McCain's commitment to Big Oil. And she's dramatically inexperienced.

In picking Sarah Palin, John McCain has made the religious right very happy. And he's made a very dangerous decision for our country.

In the next few days, many Americans will be wondering what McCain's vice-presidential choice means. Please pass this information along to your friends and family.

Thanks for all you do.

–Ilyse, Noah, Justin, Karin and the rest of the team

Hannah Montana It Ain't
Mood:  crushed out
Now Playing: Towelhead: A Novel by Alicia Erian
Topic: Book Reviews
Towelhead: A Novel by Alicia Erian

My review

*sigh*

I picked up the book Towelhead: A novel because I was intrigued by the New York Times' review of the movie directed by Alan Ball (of Six Feet Under and American Beauty). I also picked it up, because I'm always interested in how authors' portray the burgeoning sexuality of preteen and teen girls especially now that teenagers seem more sexualized than ever. Towelhead did a good job of exploring 13-year-old Jasria's sexuality. The proof is by how uncomfortable I felt reading this book.

In order to truly understand Jasira's reasoning, one has to remember what it was like to be a teenager. As an adult, I can see the faulty decisions of my adolescence with 20/20 hindsight. Back then, the decisions seemed okay. Towelhead was so uncomfortable because so much of the confused sexual feelings and experimentation was familiar to me.

I couldn't stop reading this book, and completed it in just one day. I wanted to rush to the end to see if this girl would ever get her head on straight. (To say yea or nay would spoil the ending.) Although I could relate to Jasira's sexual naïveté, I did become disgusted by it. Even at 13-years-old, I knew the difference between a "good" touch and a "bad touch" even though I was taught, like Jasira, to be ashamed of even the good touches. But that was probably supposed to be a reflection on Jasira's parents’ lack of parenting.

*SIGH* With all that said, I can't say whether or not I liked the book. It was just too disturbing. Once I get over the shock of it, I'll come back and rate it.


View all my reviews.

Kate Meet Kiki; Kiki Meet Kate
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: Katherine Hepburn
Topic: Beauty Thoughts & Reviews

Yesterday, I spent a quiet 15-minutes before work hanging out in the Art, Media, Music and Sports division of my library branch. I came across a book called Looking for Jackie: American Fashion Icons. The oversized analysis of American female icons was published in 1999 and written by Kathleen Craughwell-Varda. Aside from the usual suspects—Jackie Kennedy Onasis, Grace Kelly, Katherine Hepburn, the author also profiles a relatively unknown set of icons like first lady Dolley Madison, the Duchess of Windsor (Bessie Wallis), and Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte. It was a fascinating perusal, but I focused mainly on the chapter about Katherine Hepburn. While looking at pictures of the young Ms. Hepburn, I came to a personal fashion realization. I have been trying to emulate the wrong Hepburn!

 

Now, don’t get me wrong, I still love Audrey Hepburn. I love her grace, her wit, her beauty, her talent, and her humanitarian efforts. (I also admire her hard-fought journey to become a mother. Like me, she had also suffered multiple miscarriages.) But I will never be able to fill the iconic LBD or white shirt and Capri pants like Audrey. I’m heavy set, a bit short, and without a definable waist. I look (and feel) uncomfortable in dresses, close-fitting tops, and figure-skimming clothes. I prefer outfits that are simple, uncomplicated, loose, and don’t require pantyhose. I lust after heels and ballerina flats, but tend to err on the side of the more supportive oxfords. Although both my husband and I would prefer if I dressed with a bit more flair, I am too set in my ways to do it with confidence. Finally, I’m a child of the 80s. I reminisce fondly of blazers with blue jeans, argyle sweater vests, and men’s neckties as adornments. Take all of those factors, blend them together, and will you come to the realization that I did. Katherine Hepburn should be my style role model.

 

 

I saw pictures of her in denim trousers, blouses with ascots, and round-toe flats with ribbon laces the wrapped around her ankles. She wore pretty blouses and flannel slacks, but looked strong and feminine. She was butch, but you never thought she was anything but a woman. Strong, smart, witty, urbane: one of the boys but still all girl. I’m closer to Katherine Hepburn than I previously thought, and I’m not ashamed. I can be fem and never wear a heel again. I can be sexy and not show an inch of leg. I can be me and love it.

 

Thanks Katherine.

 

Hugs and kisses,

Kiki

 

 

 

Clothing Optional
Mood:  incredulous
Now Playing: Closet Review
Topic: Beauty Thoughts & Reviews

I am complete. Wardrobe-wise, anyway. After my shopping spree at Marshall’s last week, I took mental stock of my fall clothes. (I was going to say my fall professional clothes, but, let’s face it, all I have are middle-of-the-road clothes meant for both my professional and casual life.) There’s no article of clothing, except for the perfect little black shift dress (like the little Dolce & Gabbana to the right), that I need. When the temperature starts to dip, I will not be able to utter the phrase “I have nothing to wear.”

 

 

I took stock and here are the numbers.

 

Bottoms:

2-pairs of tan print slacks

2-pairs of black slacks

1-short black skirt

1-long black skirt

2-jersey dresses

1-pair of grey slacks

2-pairs of jeans

1-pair of denim dress slacks

 

Tops:

3- white blouses

2- V-neck tunics

2- pullover sweaters (or, as they say in England, jumpers)

3- cardigans

2-turtlenecks

2-button up blouses in another color besides white

4-camis, 3 black and 1 pink.

 

Jackets:

Green tweed Chanel-esque blazer

Standard black blazer, single breasted

Cropped navy blue trench

Cropped-sleeve black swing jacket

 I am embarrassed by my bounty of riches. Even my accessories overflow (although they’re rather cheap). I’ve reached a closet nirvana yet I’m sad. Now that the journey is near its end, I feel a certain sense of loss. Hmmm…. I’m sure there’s something else I could aspire to buy. The fall issues of the fashion mags are coming out as we speak. Fashion gods, I have faith in you! (This orange shift dress might be a hoot to own.)

Brokeback part deux
Mood:  lazy
Now Playing: Brokeback Mountain...again
Topic: Movie Reviews

Today I re-watched Brokeback Mountain today for the first time since my initial viewing nearly two and half years ago. It was refreshing to watch the movie so far removed from the hype of being the “gay cowboy movie.” Michelle Williams, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Heath Ledger’s performances all hold up very well. Their best acting moments occur in the movie when they’re not speaking, but portraying their characters’ inner thoughts through facial expressions and body language. The movie takes place during an era where homosexuality, infidelity, or dysfunctional marriages were not talked about openly thus a language for public discourse didn’t exist. Alma Del Mar (Williams), Jack Twist (Gyllenhall) and Ennis Del Mar (Ledger) have no words to express themselves. (If they did, this movie might have become very talkative and lose some of its quiet charm.)

There was some confusion from audiences and critics about the depth of sheep herders’ Ennis and Jack’s love relationship. Their love is never verbalized, and their acts of sex can only be classified as violent, at best. Once you get past the shock/disgust/arousal from the sex scenes and focus on the tender moments between the men, you will see the deep emotional connection they have. There is a scene where the older men realize that their relationship is unraveling and Ennis drives away with Jack staring at the departing truck with longing. While driving away, Ennis remembers a particular affectionate moment on Brokeback Mountain during the beginning of their relationship. 

Jack is swaying gently from side-to-side trying to shrug off exhaustion. Ennis comes up behind him, and nuzzles Jack’s ear. Ennis shares a sweet nothing his mother used to say to him when he was sleepy, and proceeds to sing Jack a lullaby. Their bodies relax against each others. End scene. This is an important moment for it is how a tight-lipped Ennis tells Jack he loves him. Ennis doesn’t talk nor does he initiate conversation. It pains him just to say his name, so to reveal such an intimate memory speaks loud volumes. A second and a far removed viewing make these nuances easier to recognize. 

 

 

 

The movie is a solid film where the acting raises the quality of the film. I wish there was more physical passion that was less violent and a few more tender peeks into Jack and Ennis’ relationship. It would have made the 20+-year grip they had on each seem more believable. 

 

Shopping at Marshall's Makes Me Feel Thin & Rich
Mood:  bright
Now Playing: Fashion at Marshall's
Topic: Beauty Thoughts & Reviews
I went shopping today with my mother-in-law, and it was not a wholly unpleasant experience. Mom-in-law and I spent some three plus hours perusing the clearance aisles of Marshall's in my husband's Indiana hometown. It was a truly freeing experience to discount shop for plus-size clothing by brand name designers. I also discovered two pleasant things: My new favorite designer line is Lauren by Ralph Lauren, and that your size can vary widely depending on the designer.

I slowly went through the pickings of plus-size clothing, while my mom-in-law power-shopped through the aisles picking out blouses, shorts, dresses and pants for me in record time. (Not to mention, nearly all on sale below $15.) It was like having a personal shopper without the pressure to buy. For a woman nearly twice my age and at least 40-lbs lighter, she did an excellent job.

One of my favorite pieces included a raw-silk, 3/4-sleeve, shirt-jacket in ruby red by Ralph Lauren for $20. It was a size 18W and fit the width of my back and the girth of my belly with no problem at all. It is very beautiful. (ed. Because of financial constraints, I had to return beloved shirt.) There were actually several Ralph Lauren designs I wanted. There was column-neck white sweater with 3/4-sleeves, leather buckles closings on the pocket as well as wooden buttons. I was marked to a clearance price of $40. The 2x was too tight but the the 3X fight perfectly. There was also a beautiful 3/4-sleeve oxford blouses in a royal blue and a lime green color. The coloring was absolutely vibrant. I would have bought them both if it weren't for the obnoxious logo over the left breast. *sigh* I hate logos on clothing. They're so tacky.

My second favorite item was a pair of dark indigo dressy denim slacks with a slight sheen too it. It is perfect for daytime or nighttime. Very sexy and lengthening. Skims the shape. (I can't wait to wear it with the ruby red shirt and heels.) It was a size 18W (so says the tag on the inside but the tag on the outside says 16W), and it fit like a glove. I tried on a pair of black size 22W pants and they were too tight! (I hate vanity sizing or inconsistent sizing. I envy men whose clothing are sized in inches.) The flat front denim slacks with a bit of spandex was made by Sandro Women.

Finally, my most favorite purchase was a pair of sleeveless geometric print tops by Olivia Paige Woman. When I slipped on the first top by her, I looked at myself in the full-length mirror and said "Wow! This top makes me look great." I was no longer feeling bad about my very pouchy tummy, my white & very unsexy grandma panties, or my unshaved bikini line. This yellow and black, V-neck top was slenderizing and framed my face. I couldn't stop checking myself out. The other top was turquoise blue and lime green with a royal blue collar decorated with matching stones. Very, very sassy! I didn't want to take it off. I wanted to wear it home.

(That shirt matched perfectly to two pairs of walking shorts my mom-in-law picked out but were too tight for me. They barely fit but I wouldn't be able to work all day with that too-tight waistband crushing my belly. My mom-in-law said that it would be an incentive for me to exercise and lose weight. She was very positive that I could do it. I acquiesced and took the shorts to the counter, but I had the cashier take them away while my MIL paid for her purchases. I'd rather buy clothes I can fit now, and buy new clothing when I lose weight rather than staring at two pieces of clothing I can't wear comfortably right now.)

So, my trip to Marshall's today taught me some very valuable lessons I want to share:

1. I have no idea how to dress myself prettily or stylishly;
2. I'm still kind of wimpy around my  mom-in-law after 13 years;
3. Vanity sizes suck and you have to try on EVERYTHING (No more catalogs for me);
4. Brand names for less is better than shopping at the no-name $10 store;
and 5. I REALLY LOVE SHOPPING!!!    

---

On a side note, Shirley MacLaine is starring as Coco Chanel in a Lifetime miniseries this September. I'm very excited about it. Also, is it me or has Lifetime gotten less cheesy?

Ask Me How I Got This Smile on My Face
Mood:  on fire
Now Playing: The Dark Knight
Topic: Movie Reviews

The Dark Knight was a brilliant movie despite being about 15-minutes too long. (I’m not going to complain about the length, because all movies are at least 20-minutes too long nowadays and to complain about it would be a redundant criticism.) The movie was dark, philosophical, fast paced and action packed. Some critics will state that The Dark Knight was too dark or too philosophical for a “funny book” movie. People who say that are not too familiar with the world of comic books, and the alternate realities in which superheroes live. Never confuse a comic book with the bright bang-pow, drink-your-milk and say-your-prayers type of heroes in the Sunday papers’ comic strips. Comic book heroes (and villains) who are brought to life on the big screen come with much depth and baggage that is ripe for exploring.

 

The Dark Knight explores the yin and yang relationship of the Batman and the Joker. Good versus Evil. Order versus Anarchy. Without the existence (even the theoretical existence) of one, the other cannot exist. The Joker, with his scarred mouth and whacked-out make-up, points this out with glee to Batman. Batman as the vigilante hero has created a villain who elicits as much fear as Batman does hope. The Joker, with his guns and bombs, has thrown the Gotham City into a tailspin. The police, the mobsters, and the everyday folks don’t know how to capture him. Batman and District Attorney Harvey Dent (a scene-stealing Aaron Eckhart) fight to control the chaos through the rules and laws they’ve privately and publicly promised to uphold.

 

To say anymore would give away too many of the surprising and excellent plot twists. As Heath Ledger’s more-than-excellent Joker keeps pushing the envelope of evil deeds, the audience stays riveted to their chairs and their eyes to the screen. Each time the Joker appears, the audience whoops in disbelief at his mayhem. Oh, shit! Did the Joker just do that?  The audience struggles with Christian Bale’s Batman and Harvey Dent’s dilemma of stepping outside the boundaries of their laws to bring down the Joker. (Dent nearly shoots one of the Joker’s goons to get his whereabouts, and the Batman has to restrain himself from killing the Joker with his bare hands.)

 

The actors all do a very fine job in their roles. Bale is an excellent Bruce Wayne, hamming it up as the millionaire playboy in order to keep is true identity a secret. Maggie Gyllenhaal is a sexy and fiery A.D.A and love interest of both Dent and Wayne. Aaron Eckhart, with his strong jaw and a cartoon superhero’s chin, brings depth to his character’s arc. And of course, there is the late Heath Ledger who is unrecognizable as he is so steeped in his character. He fully embodies the insanity of the Joker making him scarier than Jack Nicholson’s over-the-top cartoonish performance from nearly 20-years-ago. You never look at this Joker and say “Heath does a good Joker.”

 

Christopher Nolan has made some very fine character movies, Memento and The Prestige, and he does great with the characters in this new Batman franchise. Unfortunately, it is hard to follow the action sequences. You get the idea in theory of what is happening, but you don’t understand what you’re seeing. That is the main flaw of The Dark Knight. Well, that, and the fact that you won’t see anymore face-offs between the Joker and the Batman that is hinted near the climax of the movie.

 

See this movie. I wouldn't bring any child younger than 12 to this movie.