Seeing Red
What’s Jack up to? Today he’s looking forward to a quiet Monday after the vacation week. It is going to be quiet right, Jack?So last night was Oscar night. Thanks to the writer’s strike being over it all went without a hitch. OK, well there were a few hitches on the red carpet but for the most part everyone did well.Our favorite judge Heidi was definitely not out with her gorgeous red number which will be auctioned off for charity. We love her for that.
Red was the color of the night and worn well by many. Here are Katherine Heigl, Miley Cyrus and Anne Hathaway.
But for me, black is always the way to go. Jennifer Garner did it well here.
The biggest surprise for me was the amazing Ruby Dee not winning best supporting actress. To me she should have won it years ago and her performance in American Gangster was just wonderful. Can you belive she is 83 years old? Just beautiful.
The supporting actress winner, Tilda Swinton I’m sure did a wonderful job, but can we talk about this look? I’m all for individuality here, but, huh?
Now lets talk about everyone’s favorite stripper with a heart of gold, Diablo Cody. How much we I love her snarky quick wit so evident in Juno that you need to watch it twice to get in all the jokes? And how much do we love the fact that she is and ex stripper who is now an Oscar winner? Wow. I also really liked the fact that Miss Diablo, who even got cheeky with Oprah, was at a loss for words and had to run off the Kodak stage because she was overrun with emotions. Aww.Now the dress… I have no clue why she chose this. Maybe she wants to show she’s not a conformist and will not be tamed, hence the animal print, but come on. With that gorgeous skin and hair, her body was begging to be sheathed in a simple black column with a small train. Oh well maybe next year.
As for the big Best Actor winner Daniel Day Lewis and his wife. I will not comment, but just say congratulations on a well deserved win.
Best, KwanaFlu Shot
I’m still a bit out of sorts, but I think I’m on an upturn. Hooray! Not being able to read and make any sense of the words, I pulled out this sock that I seem to have been knitting for a year. Sigh…
But, finally I’m turning the heel! I don’t think there is anything else in the world like turning the heel to make me feel so smart and so dumb at the same time. Always in the middle I swear I’m doing it wrong. I’m never confidant in what I’ve done until I’m halfway back down the foot. Wish me luck on my journey.
Besides my knitting, I turned to my old standby of Pride and Prejudice to lift my spirits. Now I know it’s on PBS tonight, but I was in dire need of an afternoon fix. Is there anything better on a snowy winter’s day? I think not.
Best,
Kwana
Audio Box
What’s Jack up to? Right now he’s hunkered under my bed like he’s in for the night. Sorry, Jack you’ve gotta go to your own bed. You know I don’t go for critters sleeping under me. Ahem, no jokes please!
Today I just finished listening to Janet Evanovich’s Lean Mean Thirteen on my ipod. So much fun! For years I never thought of myself as an audio book girl. I mean honestly, is there anything better than a new book? The feel of cool crisp paper beneath your fingers is just delicious.But thanks to Jack I’m now doing lots more walking and I’m totally in favor of a good audio book. And thanks to the library I can get the book on cd and download it to my ipod quick and easy. Fantastic.
My favo
rite audio books have been all the Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum books. I often find myself laughing out loud as I walk down the street. The reader is wonderful at instantly pulling you into the story and every character has a distinct voice that fits them perfectly.Besides that, I’m just in awe of how Janet Evanovich has made this world with these amazing characters that feel like they could be friends that you can hop in you car and go to visit. It’s something I strive for as a writer. The book’s over, but I can still picture them going on and living their lives. Now that’s what I call a good series!
Another plus with the JE audio books in at the end of most of them is this cool question and answer session with Janet. So you get to hear in her own words how she makes up this world and what her life is like. So much fun for us newbies in the writing game. Check them out and let me know what you think.
So tell me are you an audio book person, strictly paper only or are you one of those cutting edge modern-nistas with an e-reader?
Best,
KwanaIt’s Sew Not Over
And the fun keeps on coming. To keep us out of withdrawl, PR keeps the competition going with a new challenge for the designers. 12 have done collections and the winner gets 10 grand. The best part we get to vote. Check them out then cast your vote PR fans. Please no hanging chads!
Still Winter, Eh?
What’s Jack up to? Hopefully being sweet and easy. Let’s have a quiet day, Jack. Please.Remember that sweet little birdie from the other day? A hopeful sign of Spring. Well, he was just a big fat tease.
I went to bed with clear skies and I relatively clear head…I woke to this:.jpg)
Yep, same tree from the other dayAnd a head, chest and throat that’s anything, but clear. I suspect the flu came in silently last night with the snow. It snuck up so fast, there was nothing I could do to stop it. Coughing, sneezing, sore throat, aching body, what a mess. So it’s me, my laptop, a little misery and lots of hot tea today. Not so different from any other day, I guess..
Ugh! Am I really expected to shovel today? You’ve got to be kidding me.Well, I hope you have a good one with a bit of sunshine.Best,KwanaRunway Rage
What’s Jack up to. It’s late so he’s all curled up and sleeping like a baby. Ah, bliss.
Survivor was a wild one this week. Attitudes and arguments galore. I thought blood would be drawn during that crazy football/sack challenge. I’m now ripping up my application. No diet is worth that abuse!I can’t believe that Yau-Man was voted out. I should have known though because he was my pick for the winner this season. Shows once again that I sure can’t pick them. And what’s with Cirie who has turned into this power hungry megalomaniac? Too bad for her that she’ll be out soon.
I tuned into Make Me A Supermodel and once again couldn’t help feeling like I was watching the poor man’s ANTM. The water tank? Been there done that. The animals on the catwalk? What tha!? That’s so stretching it. Then for much needed drama they decided to to a mid-season haircut, hoping the poor Frankie would do a freak out. He disappointed them all and took the cut like a man. For what it’s worth I’m rooting for Jacki who made it to the bottom 3 this week.
Jacki in the tank photo from Bravo
Not that it’s awful, but maybe now I feel all model shows should have cat fights and the airbrushed perfection of J. Manuel. And Tyson I just can’t get with. He wants so bad to be Tyra that he just talks for no reason, dishing out the tough model love. Allegedly he even went so far as to bad mouth Miss T, saying he’s got more clout. Um, Dude you may be all that, but crazy Miss T is really all that. And excuse me wasn’t that you I saw tipping in on ANTM cycle 9 to make the girls all drooly?
Best,
Kwana
Reality Roundup
What’s Jack up to? Today he’s being a little devil and sneaking in where he doesn’t belong causing trouble at every turn. Oh, you’re lucky you are so cute, Jack.I have to say I loved the Project Runway reunion and I will miss the show when it’s over.
My favorite moment was Heidi calling Victorya out for being such a pill then Tim Gunn agreeing with her! Man would someone tell me why she has such a stick up her butt. It’s kind of hilarious.
The Kevin cry fest was too funny. Aww little Emotionita, Were you really crying over the accessory wall?
Now I know this is totally rubbing some of you the wrong way (Mar I love ya), but the “fierce” (in his own mind) Christian won the fan favorite. Now I would have been happier if it was Chris ,but I’m not surprised at all that it was Christian. He was serving it all season with the designs and the attitude. I mean he even had Tim saying “fierce”. Congrats, Christian!
ANTM– oh, my! Were there really fights in the prelims? Goodness what will happen in the house? What did we learn last night? I guess it’s that crazy comes in all shapes and sizes.Anya, is that a Hawaiian accent? Really? I’m not sure the folks in Hawaii would agree. Eek.
Claire, Why is your hair cut like that on one side? She’s just begging to have it all cut off on the makeover show. Can you say wig fest?
Kim- oh Lord, I just hope she smartens up as the show goes on. Is there anybody up there?My surprise was Allison. She grew on me and has a real Sarah Silverman quality about her. I think she may go far. It should be an interesting season.One other point, like Survivor and making fire, girls when you know you’re going on the show, why don’t you learn to walk? These are some of the worst walkers Ev-ah! Miss J please work it out!I can’t wait to see how the season goes. Should be fun.Best,KwanaModel TV
What’s Jack up to? Today he’s chilling on his perch, high on the couch where he can watch all of the block’s goings on and bark at whoever has the nerve to walk by our house.
I was reminded by some friends that tonight is a fun night for TV. It’s the premier of America’s Next Top Model Cycle 10.
Have we really watched this thing 10 times? Oh well… I’ll be back again.
This time they are in New York which is where all model shows should be in my opinion. Now the girls will really have to put up with something. I’m sure the digs will be quite smaller and the designers just that much tougher in the fashion capital.
There is also a new judge, Paulina Porizkova, who ‘s replacing Twiggy. Ms. Twiggy was growing on me. She’ll be missed.
Now, I’m going to be totally foolish and make early predictions just based on the girl’s first pictures. Here are my top 4. Now how much to you want to bet that they will be the first 4 out?! That’s always the way with me.
So there’s Fatima who has quite an Iman look that I think the judges will point out over and over. And there’s Anya who reminds me of Liv Tyler a bit.
Dominique who has a cool exotic look. And the tough girl Marvita, who if I ‘m not mistaken is back from the previous season. Did she go to anger management?
Then it’s the Project Runway reunion show tonight. Let the whining begin! Waaa….Best,
Kwana
Vision Quest
What’s Jack up to? Once again he’s proving himself to be the cagiest little dog ever. Would someone tell me how he’s learned to open the sliding pocket laundry room door so easily? Dude those are paws not hands and stay out of my clean laundry. I didn’t wash it for you to lay in it. Ugh, Jack!So for a few hours yesterday evening I perused the mall on a quest. And I do mean a quest because when I get it into my head that I have to find something there is really no putting me off. I’m relentless. Now you may ask what was the reason for said quest. Well, I was in search of a new everyday bag.
Bag shopping for me is no light deal. It takes much care and preparation. I’m a former designer born and raised in New York and although it may sound shallow (so what I never claimed to be deep) I love a good bag. For me a new bag is heaven. What’s not to love? Bags don’t hurt your feet and in most cases don’t make you butt look big.
Now, it’s a recession going on and I’m not rolling in the dough by any stretch of the imagination, but I think that a good bag is an investment. At least it is for me. Sure trendy is great and I do go for that every once in a while, but trends come and go and even if you get a good knock off it’s bound to fail you down the line in the quality department. I’ve had cheap bags break at the most inconvenient times. And Mom has had the same Louis Vuitton speedy bag since I was a teen and it still looks great today.
That said, I do believe the prices are just crazy. What’s with some of these unknown makers throwing a 695.00 price tag on a bag? You’d better prove to me there’s something that makes that bag worth it besides the color. For another fun debate check out Brown Girl Gumbo’s post on the subject.
What also gets me is seeing a 15 year old prancing around with said 695.00 bag. Sister, you don’t have a job and I don’t care what your daddy makes you should not be sporting a 695.00 bag. Reality will hit one day and it will hurt like hell.
All that said, the lovely DH went on his best behavior (no sports on TV) and patiently walked with me while I looked at pretty much every black bag in the mall. He also gave really smart and well thought out opinions on the contenders. Was that really my DH talking stitching, construction and weight? Oh I was so proud, something has rubbed off!
There were stops at Nordstrom, Coach, Michael Kors, Burberry, Banana Republic and for wishing, Louis Vuitton and Gucci. Ahh… is there really nirvana in the bottom of a Pelham bag or bliss in the pouch of a Damier Speedy?
I think yes.
bags from coach and Marc by Marc Jacobs
Now, this little black bag had a lot of criteria to stand up to before making the cut. It had to be the right size, not too big or too small, the right weight and the right look, not too trendy and defiantly not boring. It’s a lot to ask for, but this bag would be my new BFF for years to come- we had to connect. After many steps and some back tracking the winner of the bag bowl was found in a surprising place, Cole Haan. There it was. Black –check, good size- check, good weight-check, excellent construction-check, Gorgeous- super check. Yes!
Tip- notice the lack of hardware-keeps the bag light weight and you can wear it with anything.Best,KwanaLife Support
What’s Jack up to? Chillin’ and just being Jack, which pretty much means I have to watch him every minute or else who knows what I’ll find later.Check out this cute little birdie that came to visit the other day in the dead of winter. I can’t believe he stayed long enough for me to get the shot. Could it be a sign that spring’s on the way? I sure hope so. I’m a tired of the cold right about now.
The other day I went into the city and met up with some good friends that happen to be my core critique group. Meeting them always gives me a much needed boost of writing energy.There’s something about coffee and more coffee and talking things out with folks who really know what you’re going through that just puts it all in perspective. Having people that I can go to for that extra push, well shove, I need to continue moving forward is something I’m truly grateful for.Writing is a solitary and often times thankless job (at least until that mega-deal!) and having the support of my crit partners has been an integral part in my process of growing as a writer. Lord knows, I’m so much better than that first book. Besides who else can you really talk to about POV? You know your DH or boyfriend is really just nodding, but doesn’t have a clue what you’re talking about.
Thanks for all the support ladies; you’re all better than a pair of Spanx any day!So, what are some of the support systems you have in place to keep you on the road to fulfilling your dreams? Please share.
Best,
Kwana
