Oldie but goodie

I was just thinking about this little gem from 2003.

Win it.

I am obsessed with blog giveaways... remember I got ALG the wedding planner? Anyway, ya'll, you can win 1 or 24 bags here: www.handbagplanet.com. Do it.

Like Paolo Nutini, I got my new shoes on...

Summer changing into fall depresses me, a lot. The only thing that can bring me out of this funk is new fall clothes. I know, it's shallow, but I don't care. I am a June baby.

Yesterday I got two new pairs of Fall / Winter shoes. A cheapo, patent-leathery brown pump from H&M... AND another that the salesgirl failed to locate in the store after 20 minutes of searching, so I bought online with free shipping: booties by Seychelles.

1) under jeans, they fit like the perfies pair of boots
2) they are a fashion risk for Beanie, but one I am willing to take
3) they are grey but look brown: multitasking!

I can't wait to do the closet clean out and see what goes with my new shoesies.

Thank you, SNL

Since McCain announced Sarah Palin as his running mate, everyone has commented on the uncanny resemblance between Palin, Tina Fey, Megan Mullaly & the "naughty librarian". SNL, of course, had to follow suit & have Tina Fey come back & perform as Sarah Palin. Here it is.

Can my baby be this adorable?

For the most part, I think that all kids under the age of 3 pretty much look the same. However, I'm loving Halle Berry's adorable little girl. I'm so jealous. I've got the colors right but not the genetics to put a beautiful bundle of joy like that together. Who knows? I heard that Derek Jeter's parents are ugly as sin & he's pretty.

Damn you, beautiful people!

“Four Christmases” – My New Solution to Handling the Holidays

I just saw the preview for this last night. First of all, I love Vince Vaughn. Any chick that they can get to share the same screen as him to pout & sigh (like Jen Aniston in The Break Up) is fine as long as I can get some great lines from Vince (like the phrase “motorboat” in Wedding Crashers). In this movie, Reese Witherspoon seems to fit the bill.

Second, I love the premise: a couple that goes on vacation during the holidays to prevent having to deal with family! LOVE IT! Like most people, married or not, dealing with family during the holidays is akin to getting a root canal without anesthesia and simultaneously experiencing a raging case of diarrhea. I don’t buy into the typical Norman Rockwell image that the holidays are a time of appreciation & thanksgiving for the everyday joys of life that we often take for granted, blah, blah, blah… Granted, my family situation isn’t dramatic or hilarious or tragic & I guess I should be grateful for that, but, the simple fact of the matter is that I just don’t like being around family, especially extended family.

Instead, I would prefer to go away to some place warm during the holidays. I have lain awake at night gloating over how much certain family members would be emotionally distraught or jealous over my absence at the holiday dinner table, while I’m basking in the sun in the Caribbean. There’s nothing wrong with that, right? In that Friends episode where Monica cooked the turkey for everyone, I thought that it was ideal. I would love for nothing more than to just entertain for my friends on that day. No driving, no drama, no rivalry, no “safe” conversation topics and best of all, I wouldn’t have to bite my tongue. Nothing good ever comes from me not being able to be my usual snarky self for days on end.

So, since I have to endure the usual BS this year, I’ve tried to think of the typical dysfunctional family holiday movie. And, in every dysfunctional family holiday movie, they always have the generic drunk relative, right? Well, I think that I’m going to cast myself in the role of Drunk Auntie/ Sister-In-Law/Daughter-In-Law. My family is severely lacking in that department. In previous years, I’ve hidden behind books & Ipods to keep a cool head. I think that this year would be a far more entertaining approach. I can tote a flask for dramatic effect filled with either booze or water. Probably booze since it will help to numb the pain. With any luck at the end of the holiday season, family members will be cringing at the thought of my presence as much as I dread theirs. Every time they reflect upon the holidays of ‘08, it’ll be like, “hey, do you remember how drunk miz got? Remember how she fell out of her chair drunk at the table? Or, when she opened all of the kids’ presents on Christmas Eve while they were watching cartoons?” I nearly ruined Christmas for some 10 yr. old last year by almost letting out the truth about Santa and I was sober & unprovoked then. If I’m successful, maybe they’ll cancel holiday get togethers completely! Or, at least not invite me.

Hmmm. One can only dream.

I don't think that his victim would find this funny...

On the heels of our awesome SoUnpretty book club meeting Sunday night, I remembered this clip from Family Guy.

One of my favorite '80s songs

Over the weekend, VH1 aired their top 100 songs of the '80s (only 100?!). I've seen this countdown episode about a dozen times, but I still love watching it over & over again. I forget what number this landed at in their countdown, but here's one of my favorite '80s songs. The video was so cute & typical. I suggest that you really crank it up when the lead singer hits that high note. Another interesting fact - a-ha is from Norway.

Fall Movie Lineup

As I mentioned in an earlier post, one of my favorite aspects of fall is that it signifies the return of more substantial movies & Oscar contenders. Here are some movies that I can’t wait to see and/or preview of what's to come:

1. Righteous Kill – with Robert DeNiro & Al Pacino. These two haven’t teamed up together on screen since Heat. Judging by the previews, it looks as though it may actually be good & not a movie that either star is doing “just to pay the bills” as Marlon Brando would say – such as recent flops like Two for the Money.
Release date: 9.12.08

2. Body of Lies - with Russell Crowe & Leonardo DiCaprio. It's another Ridley Scott film for Russell & I don't think that Leonardo's performances are ever a letdown. Release date: 10.10.08

3. Revolutionary Road -Leonardo DiCaprio & Kate Winslet team up again. This is actually based on a book by the same title ( possible book club selection?) Release date: 1.15.09. My b-day!

4.The Changeling-Angelina Jolie – as much as I would love to hate her, you have to admit that she can act her ass off. And, with Clint Eastwood directing & the fabulous period-piece outfits, the movie just has to be outstanding. This movie is already gaining Oscar buzz & is based on actual events. Release date:10.31.08.

5. Twilight - I don’t know that much about the books, I just know that when it comes to the theater, people (women in particular) are going to lose their minds. Release date: 11.21.08.

6. Burn after Reading – with Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Tilda Swinton , John Malkovich Frances McDormand & directed by the Coen brothers. This has to be kooky funny. I heard that the Coens told Brad to just act like a moron & he went with it. Release date: 9.12.08.

7. Eagle Eye- with Bridget Monaghan & Shia LeBoeuf. I enjoyed Shia in Transformers & Bridget in Gone Baby Gone, so I’m really interested to see how it’s going to turn out. Release date: 9.26.08.






If any of the above movies interest the SoUnpretty readers & want to get together & have a movie date for any of these, let me know ‘cause I’d love to go!

Don't forget to pack something good for lunch

Every year, Lean Cuisine offers limited time only lunch bags for sale exclusively through their website. The bags cost about $9.95 + shipping & handling. The proceeds from these lunch bags go to benefit the Susan G. Komen For The Cure. So, if you pack your lunch like I do & want something cute to tote around until you get to the office and/or enjoy pulling a cute tote bag out of the refrigerator when you grab your lunch, go to their website on now to order your bag ASAP ‘cause they do sell out quickly. This picture is of last year's bags, but this year's designs are just as cute.

Goodbye to my new favorite month: August

Prior to this summer, January used to be my favorite month (for purely obvious & selfish reasons – my birthday is January 15th). However, with the recent turn of another calendar page, I’ve discovered several new reasons to enjoy this month.

1) My work pace comes to a standstill. With so many co-workers on vacation, there’s very little work to do. Leaving me to explore the far reaches of the internet in peace. I can even get some leisurely reading done, like Quark for Dummies in my downtime.

2) Easier commute. Again, due to vacation schedules and school break, driving to work is a breeze. Especially on Mondays & Fridays.

3) Anticipation of the return of good television. I’ve been enjoying some of my favorite summer shows – Big Brother & Mad Men. But now, I eagerly await the return of my regular season shows & the new fall lineup.

4) Clothes – stores unveil their new fall silhouettes. Bold colors, sweaters, awesome looking shoes & mod silhouettes are just some of the fun stuff that I’m looking forward to. As much as I love summer, I always feel that the clothes are a bit lacking in style.

5) Good movies – I love the fun, lighthearted summer movies, but I’m ready for some movies that offer substance. More on that later.

So, what’s my least favorite month? February. Why? It's cold, miserable & the dead middle of winter.

For all of you Lily Allen Fans - I'm looking @ you, Beanorama

TMZ ran this entire clip of the British GQ awards. Apparently, she was drinking champagne right at the podium, which is why Elton John made that comment. I love Elton's response, though. He's so bitchy. I love the fact that he's bragging about his bitchy, drug-binging ways.

Gross Photo of the Week

Warning - if you've just recently eaten, this may cause you to hurl. This is Star Jones with her new "man" at the US Open. You know Al's like, "bitch, please! I can so do better than that! He's a two-bagger!"

Blech.

Lesson of the Day: There's no dignified way to clean the handles of an elliptical machine

Think about it.