Tip of the Cat in the Hat

The Lorax
Green Eggs and Ham
A Cat in a Hat

Did you know that Theodore Geisel was a fan of hats?

The traveling exhibition of Dr. Seuss' private collection has kicked off in New York and has 15 more stops along the way.  I can't help but be reminded of our very own GBC B1ll with the photo on this site.  Sadly, we'd have to travel to see the exhibition, but who wouldn't enjoy NY, Chicago, San Diego or Austin?

"Look at me!
 Look at me!
 Look at me NOW!
 It is fun to have fun
 But you have to know how.”
― Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat

Case of Sundaes

Sundays should be dedicated to parks and ice cream with an option on a burger.  They should start with coffee and newspapers whose title includes "Times."  I think in this way, I would get along just fine with Sundays and keep the Lucinda Williams' lyrics at bay.  

In a similar vein to "make it through Sunday," I bumped across this blog earlier in the week.  She's a "mum-jean" wearing woman who stops reading some novels because they are too sad.  Rightly so madam, and carry on. 

A non-Sequintur

Monday morning.  Though I've been awake for nearly three hours (courtesy of spin class), I could still use a bit of motivation.  You?  I think this item doesn't quite make inspiration but does fall in the realm of interesting party conversation and perhaps a water cooler mention.  After all, I do like shiny.

From Encyclopedia of the Exquisite by Jessica Kerwin Jenkins, the origin of sequin came from the French interpretation of zecchino (Venetian), a gold coin hailing from 1284.  For those following the fashion trends, coins were some of the earliest accessories from about 200 AD.  [Shiny happy people holding hands.] Of course when times grew tight and wars aplenty, coins turned to fake coins, which eventually made their way to thinly stamped sheets of gold and silver (if your name had a roman numeral following such as Henry VIII or Queen Elizabeth I).  The rest of the crowd likely donned brass (if any).  Jump a few eras, another war or few, and various innovation to the 1920s.  This age of flapper marked the beginning of the modern sequin.  The event which secured its place among thousands of Southerners through (likely) perpetuity?  According to our author, it was the extremely notable 1939 ruby red slippers.

So there you have it. The sequin sequence.

Hallow Hollow

I didn't kick a hornet's nest but ended up with a dragon (stenciled) tattoo. Sometimes it can be fun to step out of character. Word of advice - use care with any nose rings. Also, hair dye can be a bit messy.

In time for the US movie release later this year, H&M announced a new line of clothing available in December for anyone in need of a hoodie, black leather jacket or shiny black pants. If you need a spiked necklace, I've got you covered.

I hope you enjoyed being in and out of character this Halloween weekend.

Spring into Action

Spring. For me this means my weekend was filled with fashion magazines and a few new French items for my wardrobe. I made a distinct transition to white reading water. I took long drives, long runs and invested a little more than $15 in a new do. I also started a new book.

The extra minutes of daylight which have been creeping in since winter have lifted my mood. How do you welcome spring?

In Pursuit of 0

I am still slugging my way through Great Expectations although last night it was competing with a Kellogg School of Management case study. Interesting to note that both readings had a focus on logistics.

News events are also garnering my attention: New Zealand quake, Libya, and (I will admit it) London Fashion Week. I think it is my subconscious attempt to find qi - a balance between the positive and the negative. This condition is also not so commonly known as the Neutron Effect.

[Note: Please forgive author's attempt at science humor but she felt positive it would not have a negative effect.]

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Advice for 2011 inspired by a weekend in NYC:

1. Don't forget your sunglasses in the cab, even if the ride makes your top #5 scariest of all time.
2. Know what you want by the time you get to the counter.
3. Hear a band play twice live in the same venue: you may just feel like you are part of a heartbeat.
4. Go for long walks.
5. Wear sparkly things.
6. Falafel eaten standing may in fact be better than that served to you at a table.
7. Read Hemingway, chronologically if so desired.
8. Make spontaneous resolutions at dinner parties.
9. Wash dishes for someone else.
10. Use a brown paper bag to remove exterior skin from grilled peppers.
11. Stay in touch with old friends and make new friends.
12. Speaker placement is important.
13. Taking the scenic route can be more fun.
14. Visit museums and use the audio tour.
15. Order two desserts.

Wishing you an ultra-fabulous beginning to your year.

Don't Panic

As the sun sets on the Saturday evening leading up to my first holiday party of the season, I have taken a moment for a second coffee and a peruse through my last-minute cart of book purchases. Online shopping has saved me since moving to a "more modest" locale. Thank you Mr. UPS man for being my lifeline to the pretty, the thought-provoking, and to my favorite lipstick.

You Had Me at Also

We tend to remember our firsts: first kiss (Scotty), first home run (in the park), first taste of butter not parkay, first time I wore the yellow pants (Field Day), first hamburger (Chicago) after giving up beef for a really long time (relatively speaking), and on the list goes.

Last night was another "first": first invite to a bookclub in my new town. The sentence (via email) began: "Also, would you have any interest...?" Yes. Emphatically, yes. The group is mostly neighbors but a few are not. Meetings every six weeks or so - sounds promising. I am excited and of course already comparing to the GBC family. You are my baseline. Will there be reading water? Dare I ask?

Note: Author's donning yellow pants was era appropriate though admittedly perhaps neither haute couture nor complimentary to skin tones.

Power Dresser

While reading through my daily email, I got a link to a quiz. Feeling in the mood to explore a bit, I decided to leaf through the questions to discover my "Fashion Style." Little did I know that the result would lead me back to a Birkin and a previous post:

Checking blackberry before bed? Guilty. I would however update my style icons.

Oar, Ore, Or

I am experiencing a pleasant pause between books. Do I move to the second Joshilyn Jackson on loan from GBC Paige, or do I try to tackle industry reading? Do I read the recently delivered copy of my sister's book, or do I move to a Nabakov classic? [Note: I have already read my sister's book lest you think I have no familial alliance.] Or, do I take a small break from reading to work on the alpaca cashmere scarf I am knitting? (I, unlike GBC K1m, cannot knit and do anything else of value at the same time.)

Regardless of my next literary move, I do want to remind you of this month's GBC read: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. Good luck with your reading choices and with packing up your white shoes for the southern belles among us.

These Boots Were Made for Walking

I am only six percent (electronic reader = instant statistics) into The Devil in the White City as my schedule grew a bit more hectic at week's end. Also, The Devil in the White City's title reminded me of The Devil Wears Prada so I may have spent that little bit of free time (insomnia) yesterday morning researching this year's "must have" fall boot instead of reading.

This morning's email summary included a TechCrunch article on internet search engines which discussed intent generation and mentioned Barneys, so guess who went directly to the Barneys website to check out their shoes (and handbags)?

Apparently this weekend, all roads lead to shoes, and I walk the line.

Reading Water for Chocolate

Last night, when I sat down with Bringing Home the Birkin by Michael Tomello, I knew I would finish the book before I moved from my orange, but not quite Hermes, sofa. With reading water and a couple of chocolates at my side, I moved through the pages like a shopper at Covent Garden. The story included one section which was a surprise to me; of course, I cannot share this chapter as it might risk the storyline. The book, like my chocolate, was decadent, and I could not put it down. The author made a reference to Sherlock Hermes. (I read Holmes prior to Birkin which just further proves that books seem to find the right time to be read. Additionally, anyone who uses puns in their titles, well, I like them.)

Anyway, I should move from the handbag to a reminder of this week's GBC meeting. Discussion will address The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Get your fly swatters ready.

Pursing my Lips

One of the best things about spending a month in France is that I can now navigate the Hermes website en français. (On the flip side, I think I will now be receiving SCNF newsletters for life.) Skills like these are bad for budgets; luckily my will power is (mostly, occasionally) strong in these areas. If I had to pick a weakness, I would choose shoes over bags, but reading Bringing Home the Birkin has awakened my inner girl and subsequently my perusal of Hermes. Will I ever own a Birkin? Probably not. After all, I am fairly practical and clumsy, so the two of these do not combine to invest in an item that I would carry on my wrist rather than one I would hang on my wall. Still, I am fascinated by the fascination for a singular sac à main.