A mall-weary Dad pushing a double-stroller ferrying a baby and a toddler.
Tucked in between said baby and toddler, splayed across the stroller?
A life-sized stuffed baby zebra.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Economic Barometer
For the first time in years, I've been out shopping - albeit briefly - on Black Friday, as well as the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving.
All three days made me concerned for the economic outlook this holiday season.
I know everyone's been reading the same articles I have, how retailers are going to slash prices like crazy the closer the holiday gets.
But still... I'd expect some crowds in the largest shopping mall on the East Coast. It was laughable, the paltry number of people I saw out shopping.
The sales associates at Nordstrom? Bored to tears.
Kate Spade? They could vacuum the place and nobody would have minded.
Cole Haan, where they had a big "30% off everything in the store" sign beckoning? The saleswoman looked ready to cry.
And it's not just the higher-end stores that were feeling the pinch - JCPenney was a ghost town.
Even JCrew, which on a normal Saturday has 5 or 6 people waiting to make purchases, had a fast-moving line - full of people with returns.
When you can go to a Best Buy store at any time on Black Friday and there's no line - I mean, zero people waiting - something is wrong.
This does not bode well, people. It's going to be self-perpetuating problem - if we buy nothing, the economy will stagnate.
All three days made me concerned for the economic outlook this holiday season.
I know everyone's been reading the same articles I have, how retailers are going to slash prices like crazy the closer the holiday gets.
But still... I'd expect some crowds in the largest shopping mall on the East Coast. It was laughable, the paltry number of people I saw out shopping.
The sales associates at Nordstrom? Bored to tears.
Kate Spade? They could vacuum the place and nobody would have minded.
Cole Haan, where they had a big "30% off everything in the store" sign beckoning? The saleswoman looked ready to cry.
And it's not just the higher-end stores that were feeling the pinch - JCPenney was a ghost town.
Even JCrew, which on a normal Saturday has 5 or 6 people waiting to make purchases, had a fast-moving line - full of people with returns.
When you can go to a Best Buy store at any time on Black Friday and there's no line - I mean, zero people waiting - something is wrong.
This does not bode well, people. It's going to be self-perpetuating problem - if we buy nothing, the economy will stagnate.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
The Ease of Tradition
After this Thanksgiving, where we shook everything up and tried some new recipes, I know the real reason why traditions are maintained: they're infinitely easier!
Although it was a breath of fresh air to try something new - did you know if you boil cranberries, sugar and fresh-squeezed OJ long enough, it gets gelatinous all on its own? - using all-new recipes definitely added a layer of stress to the festivities, at least for me.
And thanks to our guests who brought a fabulous selection of desserts, it ended on a sugar high.
But in the end, the most important thing was the gathering of people we care about!
Although it was a breath of fresh air to try something new - did you know if you boil cranberries, sugar and fresh-squeezed OJ long enough, it gets gelatinous all on its own? - using all-new recipes definitely added a layer of stress to the festivities, at least for me.
- Will these potatoes turn out?
(Sure, but a little more salt wouldn't hurt.) - Does the stuffing need more chicken stock?
(Yep!) - How long do you cook a double batch of maple-glazed carrots?
(Less time than you think.)
And thanks to our guests who brought a fabulous selection of desserts, it ended on a sugar high.
But in the end, the most important thing was the gathering of people we care about!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Holiday Hubbub Countdown!
A random sampling of the last-minute shopping I've been doing:
- Flowers
- Sour Cream
- Rye and sourdough breads
- Cereal for breakfast
- Milk (1% as a get-through-the-winter treat)
- Oven mitts (or, as my Dad calls 'em "Kitchen Gloves")
- Junior Mints Deluxe
("Who's gonna turn down a Junior Mint? It's chocolate - it's peppermint - it's delicious!") - Hot cups for coffee (with lids!)
- Cookies from Daryl's Bakery (chocolate dipped, covered in jimmies, some with raspberry or apricot jam - ostensibly for the kids)
- More parsley
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! More later.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Out with the Old
This year, we are casting aside all the old recipes we've been using for the past, oh, 15 years plus, and trying an all-new menu.
Mr Spandrel found most of it in a magazine, and it sounds delish.
There is much gnashing of teeth in my family over the change.
"No creamed corn?" my Mom asked incredulously, knowing that we will never hear the end of it from my Dad.
"Pilgrim Pizza?" my aunt asked (as I wondered what the hell that would involve).
"Are you making a corned beef and cabbage?" my Mother-in-law pondered. Um, no.
The last few years have gotten stale; we just want to mix it up a bit. Oh, my family groans when they hear about it, but what about tradition?
Just like Marge Simpson admonishing Lisa to "Get away from that Jazz Man!" they simply fear the unfamiliar.
It'll be more work for us, since everything's under wraps. So we're having more people bring the appetizers so as to further mix it up. (In years past, people brought a side dish to help out.)
But we are hopeful that it will make us look at Thanksgiving in a new light.
And just maybe it will inspire us to be thankful for more things than ever this year.
Mr Spandrel found most of it in a magazine, and it sounds delish.
There is much gnashing of teeth in my family over the change.
"No creamed corn?" my Mom asked incredulously, knowing that we will never hear the end of it from my Dad.
"Pilgrim Pizza?" my aunt asked (as I wondered what the hell that would involve).
"Are you making a corned beef and cabbage?" my Mother-in-law pondered. Um, no.
The last few years have gotten stale; we just want to mix it up a bit. Oh, my family groans when they hear about it, but what about tradition?
Just like Marge Simpson admonishing Lisa to "Get away from that Jazz Man!" they simply fear the unfamiliar.
It'll be more work for us, since everything's under wraps. So we're having more people bring the appetizers so as to further mix it up. (In years past, people brought a side dish to help out.)
But we are hopeful that it will make us look at Thanksgiving in a new light.
And just maybe it will inspire us to be thankful for more things than ever this year.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Things I Don't Get
The Twilight Series thing. I mean, vampires? Why?
The beauty people find in logo-covered status bags. (I'd rather have gorgeously tumbled leather.)
Running.
Buying a house way out of one's price range. (The ever-present, abject stress would mean I'd never sleep!)
The bubble skirt.
The beauty people find in logo-covered status bags. (I'd rather have gorgeously tumbled leather.)
Running.
Buying a house way out of one's price range. (The ever-present, abject stress would mean I'd never sleep!)
The bubble skirt.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Diet: Blown
Just had a really delicious Barefoot Contessa dish: lemon fusilli with arugula. The zoing of the lemon juice counteracts the peppery bitterness of the arugula, and the result is amazing.
But don't let the title fool you: it's far from healthy, in that it's all encased in a heavy cream sauce. (I know!!)
Typically, when I see heavy cream as an ingredient, I buy light cream instead. But the last couple of times I'd experimented with that, the cream broke up and the sauce never really jelled properly.
It's not often that I eat anything with heavy cream, so now I'm feeling a big sluggish.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm curling up with a good book and planning my morning walk to work some of it off.
You can find the recipe online here.
But don't let the title fool you: it's far from healthy, in that it's all encased in a heavy cream sauce. (I know!!)
Typically, when I see heavy cream as an ingredient, I buy light cream instead. But the last couple of times I'd experimented with that, the cream broke up and the sauce never really jelled properly.
It's not often that I eat anything with heavy cream, so now I'm feeling a big sluggish.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm curling up with a good book and planning my morning walk to work some of it off.
You can find the recipe online here.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Meal Plan
Some people I hadn't seen for a couple of months commented on my having lost some weight recently. I'm an eats-when-bored type, and I've been losing a little bit of extra weight lately, so they asked me how I did it.
Other than some strategic dressing to de-emphasize my problem spots? And being too busy at work most days to snack?
"I'm eating less," I told them. They laughed, in that "Why didn't I think of that?" way. "Really, I'm eating less," I said.
But I didn't tell them one of the most effective ways to make it happen.
And that is planning. Because I get in trouble with food if I don't think about it until it's too late and by lunchtime I'm gnawing on a chair leg, overcome by hunger pangs. There are a few other things that keep me on the right path, food-wise.
Specifically:
Other than some strategic dressing to de-emphasize my problem spots? And being too busy at work most days to snack?
"I'm eating less," I told them. They laughed, in that "Why didn't I think of that?" way. "Really, I'm eating less," I said.
But I didn't tell them one of the most effective ways to make it happen.
And that is planning. Because I get in trouble with food if I don't think about it until it's too late and by lunchtime I'm gnawing on a chair leg, overcome by hunger pangs. There are a few other things that keep me on the right path, food-wise.
Specifically:
- Menu-driven. The super-organized Mr. Spandrel got us on the kick of planning the week's dinner menu on Sundays - then we shop for the ingredients we need. Saves time, money and thinking about what to eat after a long day at work. And if we're having a richer dinner, I have a salad for lunch.
- Brown-bagging it. Bring lunch at least a few times a week makes a big difference. Not only is it cheaper and more reliable, but the portion sizes are more controllable. Typical: Boar's Head Turkey, wheat bread, lettuce and tomatoes when in season. Whole grain Fig Newtons. These days, an apple.
- Adora calcium chocolate - by far the best chewable calcium supplement. It's a real piece of chocolate with 500 mg of calcium, but without the strange calcium taste. And it feels like a treat!
- Always eat breakfast. Mine is the same thing every day - a certain combo of cereal that keeps me filled until lunchtime, orange juice, and sometimes tea. If I'm starving or didn't have a real dinner the night before, I'll have crispy wheat toast with strawberry jam (Bonne Maman), too. Tea in the wintertime.
- Have places you never, ever eat. For example, I won't take food into my home office. So spending lots of online time at home means I don't snack as much.
- Out of sight, out of mind. When we have snacks and goodies at home, we put them away. If I don't see them as soon as I enter the kitchen, I'm not as likely to scarf down too many.
- Snacks go in a bowl. I have these cute little blue bowls we use for snacks, and a portion fits neatly into one bowl. So rather than eating the whole bag of whatever it is, I pour just a bowlful. (That doesn't mean I never go back for seconds, but it's easier to control!)
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Sign of the Times
Village Earth Bead Market, the bead store where I first got hooked on making jewelry, is closing at the end of this year.
Aside from teaching hundreds of people to unleash their inner designer, the owner had done all kinds of fundraising for girls' schools in Africa.
So it was more than just a place that sold pretty things.
This is the second bead store - among the five I've frequented these past few years - to close in six months.
While I realize that paying for gas and food takes priority over baubles, I still think it's a shame that small, local businesses - and those that inspire creativity - are among the first to suffer in a poor economy.
Please remember them when you're shopping for holiday gifts this year.
Buy local. And support the artisans in your neighborhood.
Aside from teaching hundreds of people to unleash their inner designer, the owner had done all kinds of fundraising for girls' schools in Africa.
So it was more than just a place that sold pretty things.
This is the second bead store - among the five I've frequented these past few years - to close in six months.
While I realize that paying for gas and food takes priority over baubles, I still think it's a shame that small, local businesses - and those that inspire creativity - are among the first to suffer in a poor economy.
Please remember them when you're shopping for holiday gifts this year.
Buy local. And support the artisans in your neighborhood.
For more on Village Earth Bead Market, see their website.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Falling for It
A few of my favorite things, Fall edition:
- Butternut squash ravioli
- Gala apples
- Brussels sprouts with bacon and Parmigiano-Reggiano
- Tweed jackets
- Driving through forests of gold- and red-leafed trees
- Brown leather boots
- Steaming cups of rooibos tea
- Carrot cake
- Small-town Fall festivals
- Election Day, especially this one
Thursday, November 6, 2008
No Wonder
As Americans, we are obese and unhealthy. This is an interesting experiment.
The realities of feeding oneself on just $1 per day illustrates a vicious cycle: If you're too poor to afford fresh fruits and vegetables on a regular basis, there's absolutely no way you'll be able to maintain your health.
Affordable, fresh food. We ship it in from every other country and ship out our own produce.
Salmon caught in the U.S. is processed in China before it hops a flight back to end up in your neighborhood supermarket.
Our food supply had just turned wrong-wrong-wrong. Wasteful, inefficient and wrong.
The realities of feeding oneself on just $1 per day illustrates a vicious cycle: If you're too poor to afford fresh fruits and vegetables on a regular basis, there's absolutely no way you'll be able to maintain your health.
Affordable, fresh food. We ship it in from every other country and ship out our own produce.
Salmon caught in the U.S. is processed in China before it hops a flight back to end up in your neighborhood supermarket.
Our food supply had just turned wrong-wrong-wrong. Wasteful, inefficient and wrong.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Cruel Shoes
A few years ago, I was in a little shoe boutique, minding my own business (OK, I was ogling the wares - so sue me!), when I heard a loud, two-beat ka-boom!
At the same time, I felt the floor shake.
I'm a little skittish, especially with loud noises. So I got startled and looked around to see what caused it.
The source? A customer, turning away from the register, had fallen down off her ultra-stylin', just-purchased platform shoes - landing right on her behind.
After making sure she was OK, I left the store, mortified for her, not wanting to tempt fate, myself.
And you know? With all those sky-high, pencil-thin heels out there, the memory plays through my mind each time I go shoe-shopping.
Why don't shoe manufacturers make more styles with two-inch heels and a wide base? Yeah, I know - style, but still - surely they can make a stylish shoe that we can walk in and avoid falling over in!
At the same time, I felt the floor shake.
I'm a little skittish, especially with loud noises. So I got startled and looked around to see what caused it.
The source? A customer, turning away from the register, had fallen down off her ultra-stylin', just-purchased platform shoes - landing right on her behind.
After making sure she was OK, I left the store, mortified for her, not wanting to tempt fate, myself.
And you know? With all those sky-high, pencil-thin heels out there, the memory plays through my mind each time I go shoe-shopping.
Why don't shoe manufacturers make more styles with two-inch heels and a wide base? Yeah, I know - style, but still - surely they can make a stylish shoe that we can walk in and avoid falling over in!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Vote, Baby, Vote!
Random 2008 Election Day Memories...
Seeing 4 neighbors I knew voting alongside me, before work. I seldom see these people at the start of my day, and I have to admit, it was sort of pleasant, in an "I Like My Community" sort of way.
Thanking God I didn't have to wait hours in line, like many others I know.
Feeling that something big and historically significant was about to happen - even if my candidate loses, there is still a "first" to be had with the other party winning.
Laughing at my last-minute sustenance-grab, a water bottle and a Pop*Tart I shoved into my purse, in case I had a long wait ahead of me.
Admiring how, after Mr. Spandrel voted, we calculated that by 10:30 a.m., more than 35% of registered voters in our polling place had stepped up to vote!
Seeing 4 neighbors I knew voting alongside me, before work. I seldom see these people at the start of my day, and I have to admit, it was sort of pleasant, in an "I Like My Community" sort of way.
Thanking God I didn't have to wait hours in line, like many others I know.
Feeling that something big and historically significant was about to happen - even if my candidate loses, there is still a "first" to be had with the other party winning.
Laughing at my last-minute sustenance-grab, a water bottle and a Pop*Tart I shoved into my purse, in case I had a long wait ahead of me.
Admiring how, after Mr. Spandrel voted, we calculated that by 10:30 a.m., more than 35% of registered voters in our polling place had stepped up to vote!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Perfect Fall Day
On Saturday, I was again doing errands in Chestnut Hill, a rather preppy part of town.
As I turned a corner, the trees with their orangey leaves framed a slim middle-aged man on a three-speed bicycle, his schoolboy glasses fogging up from exertion. He wore lovely lace-up brown boots and khakis topped with a navy peacoat and a carefully knotted plaid scarf.
And attached to the back of his bike seat? A perfect wicker basket filled with Macintosh apples.
The whole scene made me grin for 10 minutes.
Ah, fall is definitely here!
As I turned a corner, the trees with their orangey leaves framed a slim middle-aged man on a three-speed bicycle, his schoolboy glasses fogging up from exertion. He wore lovely lace-up brown boots and khakis topped with a navy peacoat and a carefully knotted plaid scarf.
And attached to the back of his bike seat? A perfect wicker basket filled with Macintosh apples.
The whole scene made me grin for 10 minutes.
Ah, fall is definitely here!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Iron Man: A Clunker
Now I'm the first to admit that I prefer indie films to blockbuster hits, but I was really, really looking forward to Iron Man when it came out.
(Robert Downey Jr. is one of my favorite actors since forever.)
However, at the time it was in the theaters, our social life kicked into high gear and I completely missed it while it was in its first run. Then, the last month has been pretty hectic, and movies fell off my radar altogether.
But on Halloween, I was watching the Iconoclasts episode with Jon Favreaux and Tony Hawk interviewing each other. After seeing Favreaux tootle around in the souped-up car that was in the movie, I was even more jazzed to see it on DVD.
In a weird clairvoyant moment, while I was watching the DVR'd episode of Iconoclasts, I spotted the mail that had just arrived. "I really hope that Iron Man is in that Netflix envelope," I thought to myself as I pawed through the pile.
I tore it open, and saw that it was!
Sadly, the movie lived up to neither the hype nor my expectations. And before you think, "Oh, she's got girly-girl tastes in movies," let me inform you that Mr. Spandrel himself hated it. We agreed that it was both too long, too short on details to make it interesting and involved way too many leaps of faith, even for a superhero movie.
Although, does he really count as a superhero, when he doesn't really have some kind of unique, innate power that he draws from? It's really more of a costume that he puts on, which provides the super powers. I mean, I could have hopped up and become Iron Man if that were the case.
I have to agree, though, being able to fly like it does would make for some exciting times.
(Robert Downey Jr. is one of my favorite actors since forever.)
However, at the time it was in the theaters, our social life kicked into high gear and I completely missed it while it was in its first run. Then, the last month has been pretty hectic, and movies fell off my radar altogether.
But on Halloween, I was watching the Iconoclasts episode with Jon Favreaux and Tony Hawk interviewing each other. After seeing Favreaux tootle around in the souped-up car that was in the movie, I was even more jazzed to see it on DVD.
In a weird clairvoyant moment, while I was watching the DVR'd episode of Iconoclasts, I spotted the mail that had just arrived. "I really hope that Iron Man is in that Netflix envelope," I thought to myself as I pawed through the pile.
I tore it open, and saw that it was!
Sadly, the movie lived up to neither the hype nor my expectations. And before you think, "Oh, she's got girly-girl tastes in movies," let me inform you that Mr. Spandrel himself hated it. We agreed that it was both too long, too short on details to make it interesting and involved way too many leaps of faith, even for a superhero movie.
Although, does he really count as a superhero, when he doesn't really have some kind of unique, innate power that he draws from? It's really more of a costume that he puts on, which provides the super powers. I mean, I could have hopped up and become Iron Man if that were the case.
I have to agree, though, being able to fly like it does would make for some exciting times.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Clever Costumes
Over the years, I've admired the creativity of my colleagues at certain Halloween-celebrating organizations, friends, colleagues and kids who come to our doorstep seeking candy. Among the best have been:
* Washer/dryer set: this involved some boxes and white paint
* Windswept guy: he'd gelled his hair to the side and wired his ultra-baggy clothes to stick out in a westerly direction, tie askew, crumpled leaves and newspaper stapled to his outfit, which he topped off with an inside-out umbrella
* A creek: a colleague's kid did this one, by attaching blue and green cellophane to a navy sweatsuit, gluing goldfish crackers, leaves, rocks and sticks to mimic the topography
* An thermometer: a foil-wrapped bike helmet, a white sweatsuit, some shiny silver duct tape for the mercury and black electrical tape for the measurement markings.
* "Tree man": Self description offered by a four-year old who just toddled up to my steps just now - in a brown sleeper and hoodie combo, festooned with multi-colored fall leaves and sticks and glitter affixed all over.
Truly, I love those clever, homemade costumes the best.
* Washer/dryer set: this involved some boxes and white paint
* Windswept guy: he'd gelled his hair to the side and wired his ultra-baggy clothes to stick out in a westerly direction, tie askew, crumpled leaves and newspaper stapled to his outfit, which he topped off with an inside-out umbrella
* A creek: a colleague's kid did this one, by attaching blue and green cellophane to a navy sweatsuit, gluing goldfish crackers, leaves, rocks and sticks to mimic the topography
* An thermometer: a foil-wrapped bike helmet, a white sweatsuit, some shiny silver duct tape for the mercury and black electrical tape for the measurement markings.
* "Tree man": Self description offered by a four-year old who just toddled up to my steps just now - in a brown sleeper and hoodie combo, festooned with multi-colored fall leaves and sticks and glitter affixed all over.
Truly, I love those clever, homemade costumes the best.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Maple Leaf Rag
Fluffy piles of them are all around, in various shades of orangey-brown.
Maple leaves the size of your face beckon to me in nearly every neighborhood I drive through, lately.
There's something about the size that is enchanting and beguiling.
Maybe because they remind me of the times I've jumped in those piles as a kid.
Or the fact that I am just obsessed with driving through leafy lanes where the golds and the reds of the fall season remind us that summer really truly is over.
Maple leaves the size of your face beckon to me in nearly every neighborhood I drive through, lately.
There's something about the size that is enchanting and beguiling.
Maybe because they remind me of the times I've jumped in those piles as a kid.
Or the fact that I am just obsessed with driving through leafy lanes where the golds and the reds of the fall season remind us that summer really truly is over.
Sign of the Times?
Saturday was awash in rain, one of those weird fall storms that just rained on and on and on.
All told, I drove about 15 miles that day. I seemed to loop in and out of pockets of everything from torrential rain and light sprinkling showers.
That didn't stop me from driving around, doing errands.
And as I drove past the train station I used to take into the city, I stopped at a light.
A few feet away, a fully opened red umbrella sat in the middle of the street, like symbolism in a dream.
All told, I drove about 15 miles that day. I seemed to loop in and out of pockets of everything from torrential rain and light sprinkling showers.
That didn't stop me from driving around, doing errands.
And as I drove past the train station I used to take into the city, I stopped at a light.
A few feet away, a fully opened red umbrella sat in the middle of the street, like symbolism in a dream.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Calendar Girl
It's that time of year, again. Staring down the barrel of 2009, I walked through the bookstore the other day and spotted a few calendars that looked interesting.
The obligatory Paris landmarks. A few beachy ones. A snarky Ann Taintor. And miles and miles of animal calendars. (Why?)
But I'm jazzed about finding one I like. I get the same textural "ooh!" opening up a fresh calendar as I do cracking open a new notebook and taking a pen to page.
Clean slates, and all that. And print on paper.
(Basically, I've had an attachment to office supplies of all kinds for my whole life, so there's some deep-seated psychological thing going on here, I'm sure.)
Partway through this year, I started a new job. At the time, I didn't have a spare calendar to stick in my cube and it was so late in the year, none could be found.
As a result, my decor is extremely minimal; I moved in amidst the accoutrements left behind by my predecessor and have slowly been ditching the things that aren't helpful.
Things have been so busy, that taking the time to fully move in has taken lower and lower priority.
So the calendar will be the linchpin; when I find one of those 16-month versions, I'll tack it up and really feel like I've moved in and taken root.
The obligatory Paris landmarks. A few beachy ones. A snarky Ann Taintor. And miles and miles of animal calendars. (Why?)
But I'm jazzed about finding one I like. I get the same textural "ooh!" opening up a fresh calendar as I do cracking open a new notebook and taking a pen to page.
Clean slates, and all that. And print on paper.
(Basically, I've had an attachment to office supplies of all kinds for my whole life, so there's some deep-seated psychological thing going on here, I'm sure.)
Partway through this year, I started a new job. At the time, I didn't have a spare calendar to stick in my cube and it was so late in the year, none could be found.
As a result, my decor is extremely minimal; I moved in amidst the accoutrements left behind by my predecessor and have slowly been ditching the things that aren't helpful.
Things have been so busy, that taking the time to fully move in has taken lower and lower priority.
So the calendar will be the linchpin; when I find one of those 16-month versions, I'll tack it up and really feel like I've moved in and taken root.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Project Runway Episode 14: TGIO (or, Thank God It's Over)
Zip it up, this season's done! I can't remember a show where I've been so bored for so long, wondering why I was still watching, week after week.
I am glad that the winner was Leanne. But then after seeing Korto's clothes in action, I was a bit bummed she didn't get the nod. Korto's big, statement-piece jewelry really made the looks, and since she made them, even more snaps for her.
Don't worry, Korto. You've got talent, and winning that prize doesn't always amount to much (Sorry, Leanne!). You'll be fine and someone will back you.
Kenley's garish colors were just cheap-looking. Purples and fuchsias together? You'd see dresses like that at Kohl's, or on the clearance rack at Marshall's. Although spectacularly made, the dresses themselves were over- (or should I say under-) whelmed by her atrociously immature color story. I was so glad to see her summarily dismissed by Heidi once the decisions were made.
(Was I the only one, though, who thought it odd that Heidi didn't deliver the typical commentary about what earned the designer the auf before she bestowed the kiss of death? Oh, well. Guess it doesn't matter.)
The colors in Korto's line were sophisticated and bright without being manically happy. I loved them. The sheen was such that I couldn't envision wearing anything in her line, but I loved the feel, the consistency, the creativity.
In the end, aside from the interesting petal details (an evolution of the noodle!), Leanne's slipping in that she'd used sustainable fabrics probably gave her that added green edge that made her line more marketable, or more newsworthy.
Ultimately, of the three, Leanne's designs are the ones I could most covet. (I mean, probably not the bulbous skirt that overemphasized the model's hips, but that belted, multi-hued petaled-skirt/corset combo? That was hot!)
So, in the end, one of the best designers won, so at least the season ended on a slightly higher note.
I am glad that the winner was Leanne. But then after seeing Korto's clothes in action, I was a bit bummed she didn't get the nod. Korto's big, statement-piece jewelry really made the looks, and since she made them, even more snaps for her.
Don't worry, Korto. You've got talent, and winning that prize doesn't always amount to much (Sorry, Leanne!). You'll be fine and someone will back you.
Kenley's garish colors were just cheap-looking. Purples and fuchsias together? You'd see dresses like that at Kohl's, or on the clearance rack at Marshall's. Although spectacularly made, the dresses themselves were over- (or should I say under-) whelmed by her atrociously immature color story. I was so glad to see her summarily dismissed by Heidi once the decisions were made.
(Was I the only one, though, who thought it odd that Heidi didn't deliver the typical commentary about what earned the designer the auf before she bestowed the kiss of death? Oh, well. Guess it doesn't matter.)
The colors in Korto's line were sophisticated and bright without being manically happy. I loved them. The sheen was such that I couldn't envision wearing anything in her line, but I loved the feel, the consistency, the creativity.
In the end, aside from the interesting petal details (an evolution of the noodle!), Leanne's slipping in that she'd used sustainable fabrics probably gave her that added green edge that made her line more marketable, or more newsworthy.
Ultimately, of the three, Leanne's designs are the ones I could most covet. (I mean, probably not the bulbous skirt that overemphasized the model's hips, but that belted, multi-hued petaled-skirt/corset combo? That was hot!)
So, in the end, one of the best designers won, so at least the season ended on a slightly higher note.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Project Runway Episode 13: Beware the Temptations of Asymmetry
It's the difference between a perfectly executed hairstyle and a 'do where the stylist decided she needed smoking break halfway through but declared you done, pumping you up with talk of the cutting-edge style represented by your new "asymmetrical cut."
Haircuts and clothes, especially, require a solid understanding of the rules so that one can break them effectively. Coloring outside of the lines first requires being able to see the lines and knowing why they exist.
It takes a tremendous amount of skill to pull off asymmetry in design. What looks like randomly placed elements typically treads a fine line between desirable and disastrous.
Jerrellicious
Jerrell's wedding gown represented the latter. From the grayish, shabby-looking tulle, to the swirl of taffeta crinkled around the model's body like gold-sprayed craft paper, not to mention the disaster of a bodice with the flaps over the chest... it was just one poorly executed idea after another. (And don't get me started on those gems plopped in the middle of the chest.) I liked the colors and textures he chose, but little else. The bridesmaid's dress was, well, I hate to say it, but it was dreadful - cheaply shiny and with fake flowers to boot.
Sadly, I knew in my heart, as soon as I saw Jerrell's wedding dress hadn't changed much since Tim's critique, that his days were numbered on the show. Like a Saab driver in the 90s, Jerrell goes his own road, and much of the time it involves piling it on and piling it on. He needs to learn editing so that he can let his creativity really flourish and sing.
Korto Loses Her Way
Korto's wedding gown seemed lumpy in addition to overwrought... with that weird tiered effect at the waist and knees - she actually made the model look chunky. The bridesmaid's dress was only bridesmaid-y in that it had been hacked down to look different in length from the bridal gown. Meh.
Her collection, from the Tim visit, looked very Korto-esque. Well-made. Interesting to a point. But in the end, predictable. She is not an over-the-top, make-a-loud-statement designer.
Kenley: Little Girl Lost
Here's my biggest problem with Kenley's outbursts. First, if you're involved in fashion, you just simply cannot say unequivocally that you're not inspired by a particular designer. Especially if someone far more experienced and knowledgeable calls you on it.
If they see something, there must be something to see, get it?
Sure, you may have steadfastly ignored the videos on the web showing McQueen's similar dress, or held your hands over your ears when fellow fashionistas regaled you with tales of a similar dress, all while shouting "La, la la - I can't hear you, la, la, la!"
But Kenley, tell me you didn't page through a magazine or accidentally click on by some coverage, or spy even a flash as you clicked past the Style network? You're in the business, for crying out loud.
Even if you didn't, just wait - let the judges speak.
Kenley's head-shaking over the McQueen comparison was childish, as was her previous behavior in reaction to the judges' comments. She needs to learn to listen and then defend. It's far more powerful if you hear people out, and then defend yourself with a well thought-out argument. Best comment from Heidi all season came for Kenley's wedding gown: "It's Crazy Good!" Admittedly, the kooky feathered wedding dress was impressive. But from what I saw of Kenley's painted prints, the color scheme for the collection overall seems far from sophisticated.
Leanne: Variations on a Noodle
Leanne's architectural, nature-inspired creations? What an interesting set of ideas she put out there! Those wavelike flaps with the different colors, fluid lovely draping, emphasizing movement in a modern, sleek and interesting way. Love it.
(Actually, I kept thinking that they looked more like ripples on water than waves. But wave is a much cooler and sleek-sounding word to use when explaining work that's inspired by water and how it flows. So kudos to her for thinking like a marketer.)
Leanne's complete rework of her wedding gown, and her willingness to learn from her superiors, to take valid criticism however harshly or randomly it appears to be dealt, to incorporate what's relevant into her solution, and most importantly, press on? That is the mark of a professional.
And even if she doesn't triumph in this trumped-up contest?
She has an interesting career ahead of her, for certain.
Prediction
Leanne wins, Kenley is second, Korto is third.
Haircuts and clothes, especially, require a solid understanding of the rules so that one can break them effectively. Coloring outside of the lines first requires being able to see the lines and knowing why they exist.
It takes a tremendous amount of skill to pull off asymmetry in design. What looks like randomly placed elements typically treads a fine line between desirable and disastrous.
Jerrellicious
Jerrell's wedding gown represented the latter. From the grayish, shabby-looking tulle, to the swirl of taffeta crinkled around the model's body like gold-sprayed craft paper, not to mention the disaster of a bodice with the flaps over the chest... it was just one poorly executed idea after another. (And don't get me started on those gems plopped in the middle of the chest.) I liked the colors and textures he chose, but little else. The bridesmaid's dress was, well, I hate to say it, but it was dreadful - cheaply shiny and with fake flowers to boot.
Sadly, I knew in my heart, as soon as I saw Jerrell's wedding dress hadn't changed much since Tim's critique, that his days were numbered on the show. Like a Saab driver in the 90s, Jerrell goes his own road, and much of the time it involves piling it on and piling it on. He needs to learn editing so that he can let his creativity really flourish and sing.
Korto Loses Her Way
Korto's wedding gown seemed lumpy in addition to overwrought... with that weird tiered effect at the waist and knees - she actually made the model look chunky. The bridesmaid's dress was only bridesmaid-y in that it had been hacked down to look different in length from the bridal gown. Meh.
Her collection, from the Tim visit, looked very Korto-esque. Well-made. Interesting to a point. But in the end, predictable. She is not an over-the-top, make-a-loud-statement designer.
Kenley: Little Girl Lost
Here's my biggest problem with Kenley's outbursts. First, if you're involved in fashion, you just simply cannot say unequivocally that you're not inspired by a particular designer. Especially if someone far more experienced and knowledgeable calls you on it.
If they see something, there must be something to see, get it?
Sure, you may have steadfastly ignored the videos on the web showing McQueen's similar dress, or held your hands over your ears when fellow fashionistas regaled you with tales of a similar dress, all while shouting "La, la la - I can't hear you, la, la, la!"
But Kenley, tell me you didn't page through a magazine or accidentally click on by some coverage, or spy even a flash as you clicked past the Style network? You're in the business, for crying out loud.
Even if you didn't, just wait - let the judges speak.
Kenley's head-shaking over the McQueen comparison was childish, as was her previous behavior in reaction to the judges' comments. She needs to learn to listen and then defend. It's far more powerful if you hear people out, and then defend yourself with a well thought-out argument. Best comment from Heidi all season came for Kenley's wedding gown: "It's Crazy Good!" Admittedly, the kooky feathered wedding dress was impressive. But from what I saw of Kenley's painted prints, the color scheme for the collection overall seems far from sophisticated.
Leanne: Variations on a Noodle
Leanne's architectural, nature-inspired creations? What an interesting set of ideas she put out there! Those wavelike flaps with the different colors, fluid lovely draping, emphasizing movement in a modern, sleek and interesting way. Love it.
(Actually, I kept thinking that they looked more like ripples on water than waves. But wave is a much cooler and sleek-sounding word to use when explaining work that's inspired by water and how it flows. So kudos to her for thinking like a marketer.)
Leanne's complete rework of her wedding gown, and her willingness to learn from her superiors, to take valid criticism however harshly or randomly it appears to be dealt, to incorporate what's relevant into her solution, and most importantly, press on? That is the mark of a professional.
And even if she doesn't triumph in this trumped-up contest?
She has an interesting career ahead of her, for certain.
Prediction
Leanne wins, Kenley is second, Korto is third.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Heaven in a Tinfoil Cup
Staying home from school with a sore throat, at least before my tonsillectomy as a six-year-old, usually involved a cadre of special "sick treats."
One of the best was Hanscom's egg custard.
Smooth as silk, it was topped with a golden brown haze of nutmeg dots, nestled in a tiny crinkled-foil cup. I'd scrape off the nutmeg bits and eat those first.
Hanscom's Bakery was a Philadelphia institution, with outposts even in the suburbs. For a while, I recall a corner of the Acme had a Hanscom's display, with treats stacked high.
My grandmother had treats from Hanscom's, too, from time to time. Although, with Nanny, I recall more frequently having a whole chocolate frosted Tastykake Junior to myself and thinking it the very definition of heaven. I don't recall her ever making my sister and I share; we always had our own slab of cake.
While I've always been a cake girl, those egg custards are the things I associate with Hanscom's, and which I miss dearly. Smooth and filling, they were a great comfort food.
I could really use one of those custards. Right. About. Now.
One of the best was Hanscom's egg custard.
Smooth as silk, it was topped with a golden brown haze of nutmeg dots, nestled in a tiny crinkled-foil cup. I'd scrape off the nutmeg bits and eat those first.
Hanscom's Bakery was a Philadelphia institution, with outposts even in the suburbs. For a while, I recall a corner of the Acme had a Hanscom's display, with treats stacked high.
My grandmother had treats from Hanscom's, too, from time to time. Although, with Nanny, I recall more frequently having a whole chocolate frosted Tastykake Junior to myself and thinking it the very definition of heaven. I don't recall her ever making my sister and I share; we always had our own slab of cake.
While I've always been a cake girl, those egg custards are the things I associate with Hanscom's, and which I miss dearly. Smooth and filling, they were a great comfort food.
I could really use one of those custards. Right. About. Now.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
A Nation of Whiners
When Bravo rewards Project Runway contestants like Kenley with more screen time and artificial praise for projects they have no right to win, merely to keep them in the game and potentially keep eyes tuned to the screen, it's cheapening the entire enterprise.
A competition? Hardly.
TV under the guise of competition? Now we're getting somewhere.
And rewarding the people who complain the loudest, cajole their colleagues and generally behave the worst -- all while trotting out the saved-til-the-end, made-for-tv sob story -- not to mention attitude for miles? Ugh, ugh, ugh!
When Project Runway's first season came to an end, and Jay McCarroll walked away with the well-earned first prize, I kind of mourned the show's newness.
At that time, with Wendy Pepper cast as a villain employing a strategy, most of the other designers, from what I could see, seemed to view the show more purely, as a means to establish themselves, build their businesses and get the word out about their design point of view.
Once the show aired, and a savvy auditioner could see that a persona could get you farther than raw talent, from that point onward, the die was cast.
Project Runway was no longer a competition based on design talent (if it ever was); rather, it was a competition to see who made for the best TV.
This isn't a new and startling development. But it's something that has hit home recently, since I've been tiring of all these reality shows.
And so that's it, with the Project Runway season finale, I'm swearing off of them, at least until I can stand it no longer.
(Thank God 30 Rock is waiting in the wings.)
A competition? Hardly.
TV under the guise of competition? Now we're getting somewhere.
And rewarding the people who complain the loudest, cajole their colleagues and generally behave the worst -- all while trotting out the saved-til-the-end, made-for-tv sob story -- not to mention attitude for miles? Ugh, ugh, ugh!
When Project Runway's first season came to an end, and Jay McCarroll walked away with the well-earned first prize, I kind of mourned the show's newness.
At that time, with Wendy Pepper cast as a villain employing a strategy, most of the other designers, from what I could see, seemed to view the show more purely, as a means to establish themselves, build their businesses and get the word out about their design point of view.
Once the show aired, and a savvy auditioner could see that a persona could get you farther than raw talent, from that point onward, the die was cast.
Project Runway was no longer a competition based on design talent (if it ever was); rather, it was a competition to see who made for the best TV.
This isn't a new and startling development. But it's something that has hit home recently, since I've been tiring of all these reality shows.
And so that's it, with the Project Runway season finale, I'm swearing off of them, at least until I can stand it no longer.
(Thank God 30 Rock is waiting in the wings.)
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