Stilettos on the Gridiron

Highlights from Superbowl XLV

2011-02-06T22:15:00.000-05:00

If you're looking for highlights of the more traditional variety, try here, here or here. For a more lighthearted wrap-up (of the commercials mostly, since my beloved Jets didn't make it to the big game), read on:

1. Spotted in the VIP seats: John Madden, Condoleeza Rice, Ashton Kutcher (I think), Cameron Diaz feeding popcorn to Alex Rodriguez.

2. Nick Collins' unbelievable interception-turned-touchdown (punctuated with a leap) with just over three minutes left in the first quarter was pretty amazing. (Also, was it really necessary to call unsportsmanlike conduct after that? Really?)

3. There were so, so many Doritos commercials. Speaking of which -- the rug onto which Mikey's roommate accidentally knocked an urn? It's from West Elm. I have it in brown.

4. That claymation-esque (?) version of Eminen (Lipton Brisk Iced Tea commercial) looked nothing like Eminem. (right??)

5. Thanks, but no thanks to the "real time Facebook status updates" feature that now comes with the Chevy Cruze. Not only does that sound unnecessary, it also sounds dangerous.

6. Adrien Brody's ode to Stella Artois? I could listen to it all day.

7. Am I the only one who got a little choked up by the Detroit/Chrysler commercial? (Which, incidentally, marked Eminem's second appearance in a Super Bowl commercial.) Let's hear it for the Motor City.

8. I was sad to see Charles Woodson exit the game after the first half. I cannot believe this season marked his 13th in the league. I still remember watching him play at Michigan during his Heisman Trophy season (I'm filing this memory away under "signs I'm getting old").

9. How funny was Aaron Rodgers' face after Ben Roethlisberger's pass to Mike Wallace for a touchdown with under 8 minutes to go in the game?

10. So Dr. House is the "Mean" Joe Green of 2011? Interesting.

And that's all I got. Congratulations to the Green Bay Packers on winning Super Bowl XLV!

Countdown to the Superbowl

2011-02-03T12:00:00.002-05:00

So I've been absent (just stating the obvious). I will offer a complete explanation for that soon. But the Superbowl is in a few days, and there's no time to dwell on my absence. Instead, I offer these suggestions for getting ready to celebrate the biggest sporting event of the year:

- EAT -

Buffalo Wings

Ingredients:

1 package of frozen chicken "wingettes" or "drumettes"
1 bottle of buffalo wing sauce (I like Ken's Steakhouse's buffalo wing sauce & marinade)
4 tbsps of barbecue sauce
A spicy seasoning blend (I like McCormick Grill Mates Spicy Montreal Steak blend (it's delicious on chicken, too!) and McCormick's Grill Mates Mesquite Seasoning)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Divide the chicken pieces into 4 medium-sized ziploc bags. Drop about 1/4 of the bottle of buffalo wing sauce and 1 tbsp of barbecue sauce in each bag. Close bags tightly, then shake each vigorously to coat chicken pieces. Place bags in refrigerator for about 5 minutes while you line a shallow baking pan with aluminum foil and coat with cooking spray. Line the chicken pieces in a single layer in the pan. Season with spicy seasoning blend before placing in oven. Cook for 45 minutes, turning the chicken over after 20 minutes and again when 5 minutes of cooking time remain. Serve with blue cheese dressing!

Crowd-Pleasing Guacamole

I found this great recipe at allrecipes.com:

Ingredients:

3 avocados - peeled, pitted, and mashed
1 lime, juiced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup diced onion
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 pinch ground cayenne pepper (optional)

In a medium bowl, mash together the avocados, lime juice, and salt. Mix in onion, cilantro, tomatoes, and garlic. Stir in cayenne pepper. Refrigerate 1 hour for best flavor, or serve immediately. (Don't forget the tortilla chips!)

- DRINK -

The Game Day Cocktail: Frizzante Mojito

This recipe comes courtesy of the Martha Stewart Show and Allen Katz, Sirius Satellite Radio host (click here for more details on this and the other cocktails that Martha & Co. recommend for game day). I'm partial to mojitos...follow this recipe for a great one:

Ingredients:

6 fresh mint leaves
3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
1 ounce Simple Syrup
1 1/2 ounces rum, preferably Cruzan
2 dashes Angostura bitters
2 ounces Champagne or Prosecco, chilled

In a pint or mixing glass, muddle together mint, lime juice, and simple syrup to release mint oils. Add rum and bitters; shake over ice. Strain into a cocktail glass or coupe; top with Champagne.

(Note: If these recipes look familiar, it's because they first appeared as part of an August 2008 Girls' Guide to the 2008 college football season. And they're still good.)

- LISTEN -

For fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers: Wiz Khalifa's "Black and Yellow" (Too easy, I know. But it's a good song.)

For fans of the Green Bay Packers: Eddy J's "I Love my Green Bay Packers ( The Famous Packer Polka)"

- READ -

Point/Counterpoint: An interactive debate about who will win Superbowl XLV, courtesy of the NY Times.

Announcing Ruby Perrin Design!

2010-06-19T00:05:00.003-04:00

It's been just over two months since my last post. For shame! There are several reasons for this. I've been quite busy with work, a fashion styling course that I'm taking at FIT, and ... the very exciting launch of Ruby Perrin Design! I've blogged before about my desire to launch a small design business, and I'm finally doing it! Ruby Perrin Design will launch in January 2011. Between now and then, I'll be documenting my journey over at the Ruby Perrin Design blog. Click here to check it out!

I want to be sure to note that the beginning of Ruby Perrin Design is not the end of Stilettos on the Gridiron. I will still be posting here! As the Ruby Perrin Design launch date draws near, I may not be able to post as often as I'd like here at Stilettos on the Gridiron, but don't worry -- I'll still pop in with updates on my favorite sports stories (speaking of which, kudos to the Los Angeles Lakers, who made my dad very happy last night) and fashion finds (p.s. if anyone has a tip on an almond toe, mid-heel work pump, drop me a line!).

Love: Menlo Lamp

2010-04-14T08:00:00.001-04:00

I love Anthropologie just as much as the next girl. I especially love Anthro sales -- because while I appreciate Anthro's well-edited selection of goods, occasionally I feel like its merchandise can be a little, well, overpriced. Exhibit A: The Menlo Lamp.

I love everything about this little lamp. It is beautiful in its simplicity. I want one. But I'm not spending $148 (really?) for one. So I've decided that I'm going to DIY myself a little Menlo lamp instead.

I'm not sure how I'm going to do this, but I know it can be done. Apparently, there are tons of websites that sell lamp-making supplies. I'm intrigued. And hopelessly committed to making my own Menlo lamp. Stay tuned.

Love: Lands End Canvas

2010-04-13T21:16:00.005-04:00

The last time I had a closet full of clothes from Lands' End, I was in the 5th grade and my mom was still picking out my outfits. As soon as I stumbled upon the hidden gem that is the Lands' End Canvas line (aside: Why isn't Lands' End doing more to promote this line? I love everything in the collection. Love.), I realized that it's only a matter of time before I become an older (and maybe even a little wiser) version of my 5th grade self.

Earlier today I ordered the Heritage Trench in light khaki ( a coupon for 25% off + free shipping was just the encouragement I needed):

Isn't it cute? It's beautiful, it's classic, and I cannot wait for it to arrive in 4-7 business days. Now, I just have to exercise some self-control and refrain from ordering one of everything else on the Lands' End Canvas site.

Living Room: Before and After

2010-04-11T15:10:00.012-04:00

Last year, I submitted a decorating advice request to Apartment Therapy. I had gotten stuck halfway through my living room design project -- I just couldn't figure out how to pull everything together.

Here's a "before" shot of the section of the living room that gave me the most trouble (ack!):

And here are some other "before" shots of the living room:

And now, here are some "after" shots (and by after, I mean (a) after numerous trips to Target, IKEA (I firmly believe that a plan + an edited shopping list + IKEA in small, targeted doses = success), Pearl River Mart, Anthropologie and Brooklyn Flea, and (b) after two visits from my parents, during which they hung wallpaper and assisted with other decorating projects -- thanks, Mom & Dad!):

I've had so much decorating over the past few months that I'm sure my living room will continue to evolve. But I'm pretty happy with the progress I've made so far!

MOMA Mystery Solved

2010-04-05T21:43:00.002-04:00

The mystery piece is Gerald Murphy's Wasp and Pear. Thank you, MOMA.org.

Easter at the MOMA

2010-04-05T20:51:00.011-04:00

I spent yesterday afternoon strolling through Manhattan's Museum of Modern Art (along with at least 1,000 other people who also decided to spend Easter Sunday at the museum). I had so much fun -- I really love the MOMA. I snapped a few pictures (with the camera on my Blackberry Storm!) to document my trip. [Disclaimer: As the descriptions below will reveal, I am not an art historian. I just love art. And weekend trips to the museum.]

A destination scroll from an Italian airport terminal (I think). I nearly killed myself trying to get this picture. That floor-to-ceiling glass at the MOMA can really mess with someone's depth perception.

Warhol's Campbell's soups.

I'm pretty sure this was a mixed media collage.

I'm in the middle of Google-ing to figure out whose work this is (leads are welcome). I should have written it down; I love this piece.

Another Warhol. Marilyn, in technicolor and against a gold background.

This adorable bicycle was displayed with a vintage Vespa and a Ferrari!

(A representative portion of) Monet's Water Lilies, at the MOMA until April 12. This is the real reason why I went to the museum in the first place.

1: Eames! 2: Oh, what I would give to "borrow" (on a permanent basis) this furniture for my apartment... 3: Eames!

If you look closely enough you can almost make out my reflection in this picture.

My First HSN Purchase

2010-04-03T22:33:00.005-04:00

High on my list of guilty pleasures is watching HSN (and QVC). I just *love* watching professional product presenters (and the occasional celebrity) hawk well-lit goods in front of a television camera. Of course, I never felt too guilty about watching home shopping programs because, you know, I never allowed myself to actually purchase anything...

Until today.

How cute is the "Union Jack" tote (modeled below by Twiggy)? It's from the Twiggy London line, which Twiggy herself introduced on HSN today. I actually first spotted it in my copy of next month's Lucky magazine, and switched immediately from the West Virginia-Duke game (only for a second) to HSN to find Twiggy and HSN personality Colleen offering up a dove gray boyfriend blazer. The blazer looked cute-ish, but I was singularly focused on the Union Jack tote. I claimed one of the navy totes as my own, and, because it was "Today's Special," I saved 25%.

via Modelina

My confirmation e-mail tells me that I'll have my new bag by April 13. I can't wait! In the meantime, it looks like I'll be watching Butler ~~take down, with any luck~~ face Duke in the NCAA Championship Game. Did anyone else see Da'Sean Butler go down with a knee injury halfway through the second half of the West Virginia-Duke game? Ouch. Hoping for the best for him.

It's Been a While...

2010-03-26T22:43:00.004-04:00

Here's what I've been up to since the last time I blogged:

1. Working.

2. Hanging out with my brother, who came to visit me in NYC earlier this month (and helped me paint the wall in my dining nook).

3. Painting the wall in my dining nook (I had been on the hunt for a rich, chalkboard-y gray color for this area -- I finally chose Benjamin Moore's aptly named "Gray") .

4. Watching Northern Iowa pull the rug out from underneath my bracket (and not being that upset about it).

5. Working.

6. Getting totally caught up in parliamentary procedure during the various health care votes in Congress (thank you, C-SPAN, for giving me a guilt-free reality tv option).

7. Feeling disappointed to learn that I didn't make it to Target's Liberty of London "pop-up shop" in Times Square before it sold out. Of everything.

8. Wondering if I would look ridiculous riding one of those Liberty of London bikes around downtown Manhattan this summer.

9. Personalizing two of the four Frosta stools I purchased at IKEA by transforming them into matching two-toned "side tables."

10. Dreaming about warmer weather (and a wardrobe to go along with it).

The One Where I Became the Proud Owner of Four IKEA Frosta Stools

2010-02-21T16:13:00.008-05:00

IKEA is one of my perennial "good in moderation" favorites. And earlier this week, I decided that one IKEA item -- the Frosta stool -- would be the perfect stand for the peace lily that I received from my family for Valentine's Day.

Yesterday, I found a small block of time in an otherwise packed weekend to hop on the "Water Taxi" to the IKEA store in Brooklyn to track down one of the four Frosta stools that, according to the IKEA website, were currently in stock. Upon arriving at the store, I headed straight for the self-serve area, where I found the four stools...all on display, perched high above anyone's reach. Disappointed but not discouraged, I waited patiently in line at the self-serve "help desk" to inquire about purchasing one (of the four) that were on display. I learned that I'd have to wait a day for a manager to confirm that the Frosta had been discontinued, otherwise I wouldn't be permitted to purchase one (again, of the four) on display. Plus, I had to call the store before it opened the next morning, so that someone could retrieve the stools from the display before 10 am (for reasons that I suppose make sense, items on display cannot be removed while customers are in the building). At this point I was exhausted, and I decided that the $12.99 stool wasn't that important to me. I jumped on the next boat headed back to Manhattan.

Fast forward to this morning. I woke up around 9 and decided that it wouldn't kill me to call IKEA to inquire about purchasing a Frosta stool. The stools were still in the store, they had indeed been discontinued, and I could stop by today to pick up one of the display models. Perfect. So, after getting some work done, I pulled myself together and hopped on the IKEA Water Taxi yet again. For the second time in as many days, I made my way to the self-serve help desk and told my Frosta stool sob story to the team staffing the desk. Within minutes, a cart full of the stools (all four of them) was mine. I hadn't intended to buy all four (really, I just wanted one to use as a plant stand), but once I learned that I would be getting some sort of discount for buying the floor models, I caved. Doubly so when I left the self-serve help desk and headed toward the "as-is" desk (which, by the way, is full of hidden gems -- I spotted a sturdy-looking dining room table and chairs set for $59.99) -- there, I learned that each of the remaining stools could be mine for $6.40 a pop.

And now, here's a picture of one of my new Frosta stools, serving as a happy home for my Valentine's Day plant:

And here's a shot of the snake plant that I bought from IKEA's Orlando outpost when I was home for the holidays. I carried it back to New York in a carefully wrapped package (thanks, Mom), and it has been thriving ever since. Apparently, the biggest mistake snake plant owners can make is to overwater them. I'm good at not doing that.

I'm waiting patiently for my snake plant to outgrow this little green pot. In the meantime, I'm brainstorming uses for my 3 remaining Frosta stools.

Mark Sanchez Super Bowl Commercial

2010-02-07T23:36:00.002-05:00

Ok, I couldn't resist. The Mark Sanchez Super Bowl commerical is here.

Enjoy!

My Favorite Super Bowl Ad

2010-02-07T23:23:00.005-05:00

Google's Super Bowl commercial was my favorite this year. It was so sweet! Check it out here.

Coming in a very close second was the Mark Sanchez ad in which he encouraged me (really, female football fans everywhere, but I could have sworn that he was talking to me) to maintain a healthy heart.

Oh, and the Saints won! My dad owes me a bag of Haribo peach candies.

Geaux Saints!

2010-02-07T09:00:00.001-05:00

It's Super Bowl Sunday morning! I'm really excited for today's game. After much deliberation, I've decided that I'm pulling for the Saints -- and not just because the Saints are the sentimental favorite (on a personal note, as someone who spent time in post-Katrina New Orleans, I couldn't be happier for the Saints and for what the team's visit to the Super Bowl has done for that city). In all honesty, the real reason why I'm pulling for the Saints is because the media's non-stop worship of Peyton Manning has triggered my tendency to pull for the underdog. Seriously, just yesterday I heard a sports commentator refer to Peyton Manning as the most intelligent quarterback to ever play the game. That may well be true (it sounds like a debatable point to me, but I really don't follow professional football enough to know whether or how to dispute this). But I'm inclined to think that this statement just might be part truth, part Super Bowl week hyperbole.

Setting the hype aside, I'm looking forward to what promises to be a pretty good game. Oh, and I'm also looking forward to the commercials. Although nothing's ever lived up to those talking, drinking Budweiser frogs. Who knew that talking frogs would be so funny? And scary.

State of the Fashion

2010-01-27T21:18:00.006-05:00

I'll leave it to the pundits to dissect the serious issues covered during President Obama's first State of the Union address tonight. Instead, I will be dissecting tonight's fashion choices via a semi-live blog post.

1. POTUS: The President is wearing a bright red tie with several sets of narrow, white (pink?) parallel "stripes" running down the length of the tie. It reminds me of a candy cane -- not a peppermint one, but one of those delicious strawberry flavored candy canes that I always hunt down during the holidays. I like the tie -- it has an optimistic flair, and is set against a navy, presidential-looking suit. (Wait, did Harry Reid just yawn??? Wow, the Republicans are seriously mean-mugging right now.)

2. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi: Speaker Pelosi is sporting a lavender skirt suit. (I think it's a skirt suit.) The shade is understated -- I like it, but I don't love it. What I do love is her necklace: a jumbo, multicolored pearl strand. And matching earrings! Very sharp, Madam Speaker.

3. VP Biden: The Vice President has also chosen a diagonally striped tie -- it's purple (with blue and white stripes?) and the color contrast is sharp. I'm really digging it. Wait -- did he and Speaker Pelost coordinate? Ohhh, the VP is wearing a navy blue pinstripe suit. I've always held a special place in my heart for a navy pinstripe suit. (Everyone is really stoked about the Jobs Bill -- let's hope this enthusiasm translates into action.)

4. First Lady Michelle Obama: Mrs. Obama's hair and makeup are flawless! But I'm not such a huge fan of the dress. (Oh my goodness, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg just fell fast asleep. I hope she's okay.) The color (a deep burgundy) is quite nice, but the cut just doesn't seem to be exactly right. Then again, maybe I caught a bad angle -- I just saw the dress from another angle, and it looked rather lovely (love the pleating detail in the front).

5. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice: Ambassador Rice's blazer is intriguing to me. It appears to be a black, crocodile print, leather number. It's shiny and it's unconventional. And I'm kind of loving it. (I'm also loving this bit about reducing the costs of college and forgiving student loan debt. I'm totally on board with that plan.)

6. Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME): The Senator has chosen a very safe black and white (tweed?) skirt suit that looks well made and expensive. As an aside, Google-ing her political accomplishments led me to some vintage photos of Senator Snowe that dated back to the early days of her political career -- she has made some excellent fashion choices in her time. (Wait -- yes! Health care reform made it to the speech! I was worried. We can't give up on it yet.)

Last but not least -- and this has nothing to do with fashion -- but Roland Burris looks so, so happy to be where he is right now. I had almost forgotten about him and his very special appointment to the United States Senate. Good for him. (Wooow -- I think Obama just urged Congress to pass a law that will essentially erase some of the impact of the Supreme Court's recent campaign finance decision. Fascinating.)

When Sports and Sensitive Subjects Collide. On TV. During the Super Bowl.

2010-01-26T22:41:00.004-05:00

I like to keep this blog controversy-free. It's a little safe space where serious subjects take a back seat to sports and fashion and interior design. However, I'm taking a temporary step away from that safe space to comment (briefly) on this: Apparently, former (that sounds so weird) Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow is set to star in an anti-abortion advertisement that will air during the Super Bowl. Yes, you read that sentence correctly.

My gut tells me that this is not okay. Don't get me wrong (and excuse the cliche): I'm a big proponent of free speech, and an even bigger proponent of free thought. We are all entitled to our own beliefs, and more often than not we will disagree. But an anti-abortion ad during the Super Bowl? Starring Tim Tebow? It just doesn't make sense, and the tacit endorsement by CBS/the NFL/any other party viewers associate with the Super Bowl = bad news. I don't like this at all.

Read more about this recipe for disaster (mine is just one girl's opinion) here, here and here.

I'm Back (Again)

2010-01-24T17:22:00.001-05:00

I've been gone. For a very long time. I blame my absence on the holidays (spent with family in Florida - fun!) and an unbelievably busy stretch at work (spent alone (well, occassionally with my similarly overworked colleagues) in front of a computer - not nearly as much fun). Enough! Reading up on last week's Altitude Design Summit (and the amazing bloggers who participated) inspired me to stop making excuses for not blogging. And so I have returned. A few things:

1. What I'm Watching: Mark Sanchez and the NY Jets are playing in the AFC Championship game as I type this post. It doesn't look good for them. But no matter what happens, the Jets had an amazing run this season. And Mark Sanchez exceeded almost everyone's expectations for his rookie season. Go Gang Green.

2. What I'm Reading: Game Change. Whatever you've heard about this book is probably true. I've only just started reading Chapter 3, and I've already had to pick my jaw up from the floor 7 times. I still don't understand how Heilemann and Halperin gained access to all of the juicy details that drip from every page of the book. It reads like a hyper-intellectualized (and exceptionally long) "cover story" article in People magazine. And I love it for that. (P.S. I spent an entire week attempting to purchase a copy of this book in Manhattan. It was impossible to do so. Thankfully, Amazon has what seems to be an endless supply of them in stock.)

3. What I'm Not Believing: The National Enquirer is throwing its name into the hat for Pulitzer Prizes -- for its coverage of the John Edwards affair and the child he has now admitted to having with his mistress, Rielle Hunter. No, I'm not kidding. The Washington Post's Howard Kurtz explains here.

Things that Happened Since I Last Blogged

2009-11-10T22:45:00.004-05:00

1. I turned 28! I thought that 28 would freak me out, but I think I'm going to love all 365 days of it.

2. I neglected to name an NCAA Football Player of the Week. Twice. I blame this on my birthday celebration, an unintended Halloween celebration and a slight cold (which is almost gone -- thank goodness).

3. I became obsessed with West Wing reruns on Bravo. I've set my DVR to record them every time they air. I wasn't a huge West Wing fan during the height of its popularity, but I now see what I missed. TV makes working in the White House look so glamorous!

4. I've made more (minor) changes to the apartment. I've come to realize that I will be decorating my apartment forEVER. And I'm okay with that. (Yes, Mom -- I will post pictures soon.)

5. I started getting excited about the fall! The shift from summer to fall always wreaks havoc on my skin (and my sinuses, for that matter), but I am still excited for scarves and leather totes and hot chocolate and Thanksgiving! Speaking of Thanksgiving, I'm anxious to try this recipe, but with sweet potatoes instead of pumpkin. Yum.

NCAA Football Player of the Week: Johnthan Banks

2009-10-28T01:02:00.005-04:00

Better late than never! Without further delay, I'd like to announce this week's NCAA Football Player of the Week: Mississippi State's Johnthan Banks.

Mississippi State played the Gators on Saturday afternoon. The Gators managed to escape with a win (thank goodness), but the game was not pretty -- at all. What was pretty (and I apologize for using the word "pretty" to describe a football play) was freshman Johnthan Banks' amazing interception (Tebow basically threw the ball to him) and subsequent run across the entire length of the football field to score a touchdown for the Bulldogs. It was an incredible play. So incredible, in fact, that even though my blood runs orange and blue, while watching the game I realized that despite my utter lack of objectivity, even I have to acknowledge an exhilarating athletic feat when I see one.

For executing a play so amazing that you forced me to cheer (if only for 3 seconds) against my beloved Florida Gators, this week's virtual trophy is for you, Johnthan Banks:

Well done.

NCAA Football Player of the Week: Caleb Sturgis

2009-10-17T18:59:00.009-04:00

Picasa is making me a little angry at the moment. I've been trying -- unsuccessfully -- to upload my photos from last weekend's visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to my Web Albums for the past week, and it's still not working. I'm working my way through Picasa's list of "Troubleshooting Tips" now. Hmmph.

Never mind. It's time to name this week's Stilettos on the Gridiron NCAA Football Player of the Week!

This week's honoree is Florida Gators kicker Caleb Sturgis. I know, I know -- I'm a huge Gators fan, and for that reason this pick might seem biased (I refer anyone who is skeptical of my ability to be objective to the post about last week's honoree). Caleb is this week's honoree because, with 9 seconds left in the Arkansas game on Saturday, he kicked a game-winning field goal, delivering the Gators a victory in a game that really could have gone either way. To everyone's surprise (including the CBS commentators, who didn't even attempt to hide their surprise), the conference match-up between my beloved Gators and the Arkansas Razorbacks was a hard-fought battle. Truth be told, the Razorbacks easily could have won the game (there were tons of mistakes on both sides of the field), but the Razorbacks' kicker chose an amazingly inopportune time to miss a field goal in the fourth quarter. Fortunately for Gators fans, after missing a 37-yard field goal in the first quarter and then making a career-high 51-yard field goal early in the second half, Caleb Sturgis punctuated what had been an erratic performance with the field goal heard around the world (and by the world, I mean Gainesville).

Saturday's game wasn't perfectly executed (few of Florida's recent games have been). Nevertheless, the Gators pulled out a win -- something they would not have done had it not been for the cool action of Florida's sophomore kicker (so cool, in fact, that Sturgis had the sense of mind to encourage his teammates to take it down a notch when they clamored around him after he sent the football sailing between the goal posts at the end of the game, thus diffusing what may have become an "excessive celebration."

For not letting an early miss discourage him from going on to set a personal record and make an outcome-determinative field goal, Caleb Sturgis is this week's NCAA Football Player of the Week.

Caleb, this trophy's for you:
Congratulations. And on behalf of Gators fans everywhere, thank you.

NCAA Football Player of the Week: Colin Kaepernick

2009-10-11T18:29:00.007-04:00

My brother is visiting me in NYC this weekend, and earlier this afternoon we traveled uptown to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Today's trip confirmed that the Met just might be my favorite museum ever -- but more on that later. For now, it's time to name the Stilettos on the Gridiron NCAA Football Player of the Week.

Before I get to this week's honoree, I have to mention Tim Tebow -- Tim Tebow is not the player of the week this week, but he almost was. Yesterday's game at LSU was Tebow's first since suffering a concussion during a game against Kentucky two weeks ago, and he looked great. Tebow lead the team to a victory in Baton Rouge -- it wasn't a blowout, nor was it a perfectly executed game, but Tebow looked strong, and the Gators pulled out a win. It was a good week for Florida fans.

This week's college football player of the week is another quarterback: Nevada's Colin Kaepernick. I had never seen Kaepernick play before Friday night, but I was completely transfixed as the Wolf Pack defeated Louisiana Tech in Reno, 37 - 14. Nevada's entire team is unusually tall and lanky for a football squad -- at 6 ft 6 inches and 215 lbs, Colin Kaepernick is no exception. And, when he wasn't sprinting down the field with the football, Kaepernick was passing the football with uncanny speed. (The back story behind his arm? Apparently, Kaepernick is also a star baseball player who throws a 94 mph pitch and was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2009. When he was looking at colleges, he turned down several baseball scholarships in favor of Nevada's offer, which, interestingly, was his only football offer.)

Colin, this (virtual) trophy is for you:

Congratulations. And thanks for giving me one more reason to watch college football this season.

Lonny Magazine, I Think I May Love You

2009-10-06T20:35:00.003-04:00

Count me among the many shelter magazine aficionados who is still recovering from the loss of Domino. But Lonny just may ease the pain. Lonny is a new, online-only shelter mag, and its premiere issue is full of beautiful furnishings, rich colors and fun profiles of some of my favorite design experts. I was really surprised (pleasantly) by the abundance of wonderful ideas in the magazine, and I can't wait for the next issue.

Check out the first issue of Lonny magazine here.

I've Been Bad

2009-10-05T23:36:00.003-04:00

I seriously dropped the blogging ball -- my last post was over a month ago! For shame.

My excuse? September was the busiest month I've had in recent memory. Work was unbelievably busy, I was traveling out of town to visit my family and for special events, and I simply didn't make the time to blog.

This bad behavior changes today. I'm back, and so is Stilettos on the Gridiron. Starting this week, I'll pick up with the remaining installments of the Girl's Guide to the 2009 College Football Season. And starting this weekend, I will name the first Stilettos on the Gridiron college football player of the week (better late than never). And, if the news cycle continues to turn out unbelievable stories at the rate it's been turning them over the past several weeks (David Letterman? Khloe and Lamar? Jon and Kate?), then I'll be filling in the gaps between the college football action with random musings about whatever happens next.

In the meantime, and in anticipation of my return to the blogosphere, I'll be catching up on some much-needed rest. That and congratulating Brett Favre -- it looks likes everyone's favorite "retired" quarterback may be having the last laugh. Go figure (and go Vikings?).

Girl's Guide 2009/Part One: The Rules of the Game

2009-09-02T12:00:00.004-04:00

(Note: This post first appeared as part of the 2008 Girl's Guide. The information is still good.)

You only need to be familiar with a few basics to enjoy a college football game. The best way to understand the nuances of the game is to sit back and watch a few games. But watching a football game without understanding anything that's going on can be really frustrating. Here are a few basics. And I do mean basics. I think it's fairly obvious that these explanations are not at all exhaustive, and they're not all that technical, either. They're really intended for brand new fans of the game. For more thorough (and technical) explanations of how a college football game is played, be sure to check out the Internet resources that I've listed below.

1. Q: Okay, I'm ready to watch a game. How long is this gonna take?
A: The game itself is comprised of four 15 minute quarters. After two quarters, the players take a break (halftime); the remaining two quarters are played after halftime. Don't be fooled by the game clock, though. Including time outs, commercial breaks, and deliberations among officials following a play, watching a game will easily take between 2 1/2 and 3 hours. (Don't worry. They will be some of the best 2 1/2 to 3 hours of your life!)

2. Q: What's the object of this game?
A: It's quite simple. For each team, the object of the game is to get the football in the opposing team's end zone. The end zones are set 100 yards apart, at opposite ends of the football field. Through a series of running and passing plays, the team on offense moves the ball toward the opposing team's end zone. Under normal circumstances, the team on offense will get four chances (called downs) to score a touchdown by getting the ball to the end zone.

3. Q: What's up with the score?
A: A touchdown is worth 6 points. After a team scores a touchdown, it is given an opportunity to earn bonus points! Kicking the ball in between the goal posts after a touchdown is worth 1 point, while running the ball into the end zone is worth 2 points. If a team gets to its 4th down and realizes that its chances of scoring a touchdown on 4th down are slim to none, then it can send out a kicker to attempt to kick the ball in between the goal posts for 3 points.

4. Q: Why are the officials throwing things at the players?
A: Throughout the game, the officials are keeping their eyes peeled for players who break the rules. When an official spots a rule violation, he throws a flag onto the field, and the game is stopped while the officials announce the violation and the penalty. Common violations include delay of game, pass interference, and holding.

That should be enough to prevent brand new fans from getting dizzy while watching their first game. But there's much, much more to college football. Check out these great resources:

Introduction to American College Football Rules
The Official NCAA Football Rules
Wikipedia's Overview of College Football

A Girl's Guide to the 2009 College Football Season: The Lineup

2009-09-02T11:00:00.002-04:00

The first installment of the second annual Stilettos on the Gridiron Girl's Guide, A Girl's Guide to the 2009 College Football Season, will be up shortly. Just like last year's Guide, this year's Guide will be presented in four posts, and each post will cover a different topic (see the table of contents below). Fellow college football fans, please don't be shy: as always, comments and suggestions are encouraged.

A Girl's Guide to the 2009 College Football Season

Part I: The Rules of the Game (the fundamentals only. plus recommendations if you really want to know the super-technical stuff.)

Part II: The Teams to Beat in 2009 (spoiler alert: The Florida Gators are at the top of the list)

Part III: What to Wear (it's true, football fans can be well-dressed.)

Part IV: Recipes for Game Day (entice your non-football fan friends with good eats.)

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2009-09-02T00:33:00.005-04:00

The 2009 college football season officially kicks off this weekend. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! Double bonus: I'll be traveling home to Florida for Labor Day weekend, so I'll be able to celebrate the start of the season with my dad and brother.

In honor of the upcoming season (and my giddy excitement), I will be posting a newly updated Girl's Guide to the College Football Season to the blog. Stay tuned for the first installment, which will be posted tomorrow at noon. This year, I'm also excited to introduce a new feature: the Stilettos on the Gridiron "Team of the Week." Each week, I'll be featuring a college football team on the blog. In the spirit of keeping everything at SOTG funky and unique, winning a game is not a prerequisite for being named Team of the Week. To be sure, a win can earn a team the SOTG Team of the Week honor. So can a gracious loss. Or a 2-second play that made for really great tv. Or an overzealous mascot. Or even a particularly memorable post-game interview from a member of the team. The possibilities are endless, which will make this feature fun. Most importantly, I promise to be objective -- the Florida Gators will not be the Team of the Week every week (unless, of course, they earn that honor every week).

The Summer Heat, Sports and Other Random Musings

2009-08-21T05:15:00.006-04:00

About 2 weeks ago, summer finally arrived in NYC. I celebrated by incorporating a few of my favorite warm weather pieces into my work wardrobe rotation and taking an impromptu trip to the beach last Sunday (the beach trip was so I could wear my $5 floppy hat). Today, I feel like the dog days of summer have already arrived: It's 5:20 on a Friday morning, and I'm up, blogging and sipping limeade (seriously) because it's too hot and humid to be doing anything else. I'm sure I'll regret this in about 5 hours.

Anyway, since I'm up, I might as well make the most of it. First, a brief sports round up:

1. Brett Favre. I don't know what to say, man. First you retire. Then you un-retire. Then you retire. And now, you're un-retiring again? One thing's certain: You've proven yourself to be just as good at retiring as Jay-Z. The selfish part of me is excited; I'll certainly be watching more Vikings games this season than I would have otherwise. The un-selfish part of me wonders if this retirement business is bad for professional football. And for Favre.

2. Plaxico Burress. The Super Bowl winning-turned-gun wielding wide receiver pleaded guilty to gun charges yesterday, following last winter's unfortunate incident at a Manhattan nightclub. He'll spend the next two years in jail. What an amazing fall from grace. I'll never understand why Plaxico felt that he needed to stash a gun in his sweatpants to be safe.

In personal news, I've been encouraged to give sewing another go (follow my ~~moderately successful~~ mostly unsuccessful stint as a sewing student at FIT here). I've also started knitting again -- I've been "knitting" a scarf for the past 6 years now, but I really am motivated to make it happen this time. My new goal is to finish a scarf in time for my family's post-Christmas ski trip this year (totally doable).

I"m looking forward to a good weekend. I have tons of work to do, but that's not so bad. I'll be sure to make time for a few fun things, too. Plus, I've got a great Netflix DVD (Footballers' Wives, one of my all-time favorite British exports) coming.

Sports Roundup

2009-08-13T23:18:00.007-04:00

1. Breaking: Michael Vick has a new job: He's just signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Also,
2. Rick Pitino messed up. I mean, really messed up.
3. Pre-season polls have the Florida Gators on top of the college football rankings. That's what I like to see.
4. Speaking of being on top, Tiger Woods is back on top after the first day of the PGA Tournament.
5. Apparently, A-Rod's latest girlfriend (Kate Hudson) and Derek Jeter's girlfriend (Minka Kelly) don't get along. Oh my.

Gap's CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Khaki Collection: Cute! And Cheap!

2009-08-11T00:03:00.006-04:00

Yesterday, I ventured to my neighborhood Gap to see if I could score a few simple tees. To my surprise, I stumbled upon an unbelievably cute floppy hat, and an unbelievably cute dress, for under $5 and under $12 (respectively)!

My new ($12) dress is on the model standing second from the right in this picture:

image: Glamour.com

And my new ($5) floppy hat is on the model second from the left in this picture:

image: Glamour.com

College Football Is Coming!

2009-08-05T22:23:00.005-04:00

There's only one thing keeping me from being totally dejected about the summer coming to an end ( by the way, as far as I'm concerned, summer in NYC never began this year). That one thing is, of course, college football! I'm totally stoked about the 2009 season -- it's been far too long since I last watched my beloved Gators take to the field. To make this year's season even more fun, I'm planning a few special features for my little blog -- stay tuned for those! In the meantime, you can prepare yourself by downloading the 10 songs that will get you excited for the upcoming college football season (one person's opinion) to your iPod.

I Love The Golden Girls

2009-08-03T22:49:00.006-04:00

Thanks to WE's dutiful rotation of The Golden Girls reruns, I have been reminded of just how much I loved this (Emmy award-winning) show! It was All in the Family meets Maude meets the South Florida early bird special. And what I've now come to realize is that while The Golden Girls may have been a half-hour situation comedy, Sophia, Dorothy, Blanche and Rose tackled some pretty heavy issues -- homelessness, racism, euthanasia, HIV -- and that's just what I've seen over the past few weeks of reruns. I'm pretty sure I didn't realize how socially relevant this show was when I managed to catch bits of an episode just before my bed time (circa 1989).

So, let's see . . . at the moment, my favorite things include tending to my houseplants (they're still alive!), trying new recipes (my cooking has improved dramatically over the past few months) and watching The Golden Girls on WE. Am I a 27 year old golden girl? Gasp.

Olbermann and O'Reilly: A Truce?!?

2009-08-01T00:08:00.008-04:00

As I've mentioned on several occasions, I like to keep Stilettos on the Gridiron a politics-free zone (for the most part). So I'll keep this short. And neutral...

As a semi-regular cable news viewer, I cannot believe that I didn't realize that Keith Olbermann and Bill O'Reilly had reached a truce of sorts (courtesy of informal negotiations that followed a cordial conversation about the Olbermann/O'Reilly banter between network hotshots Jeff Immelt and Rupert Murdoch).

The NY Times is reporting that Mr. Olbermann and Mr. O' Reilly stopped their years-long on-air feud in June, after executives at MSNBC and Fox decided that the war of words had become a lose-lose for both networks.

I really don't have anything more to say about this, other than that I am totally shocked I didn't even realize that the fighting had ended until I came across the NY Times piece. But now that I know, I think I'm going to miss it.

Apartment: Before and After Pics! (Part One)

2009-07-26T14:18:00.008-04:00

Finally! Here are a few "before and after" pics of my apartment:

Living room, before (ack!) :

Living room, after (and from many different angles, because I love the wallpaper so much...) :

I think the new wallcovering (lovely blue floral print courtesy of grahambrown.com, installation courtesy of my dad -- thanks, dad!) made a huge difference. I'm so pleased with the way it turned out.

More pics of other improvements in the apartment soon, I promise.

Le Weekend

2009-07-24T23:57:00.004-04:00

Another weekend is upon us. It looks like I'll have just a little work to catch up on this weekend, which means that I'll be able to cross some things off my "fun" to-do list:

1. Pick up a few new, fresh Apica notebooks at Kinokuniya.

2. Drool over what I hope is an impressive selection of beads at Beads of Paradise.

3. Venture to The Strand for vintage fashion and art books for my new "bookshelf."

4. Watch Confessions of a Shopaholic, my highly anticipated Saturday Netflix delivery.

5. Read last 40 pages of Confessions of a Shopaholic before watching it on DVD.

6. Stock my fridge with yummy treats from Whole Foods.

7. Grab drinks with friends.

8. Post pictures of my new apartment improvements on blog!

I'm Back!

2009-07-22T20:49:00.006-04:00

It's been over two weeks since I last posted! No time to dwell on that fact; let's just correct it:

Last week, my parents made a much-anticipated trip to NYC and I spent the whole week with them. It was wonderful. They were kind enough to indulge my DIY obsession, and my apartment has never looked better. Thanks to them, I now have an accent wall in my living room and another in my bedroom (each of these walls has been totally transformed with wallpaper, courtesy of my dad), my wall art is now on the walls instead of in the "project" corner of my apartment, and my favorite wine glasses are suspended from a rack underneath my kitchen cabinets instead of tucked away in the cabinets. I promise to post pictures soon.

In other news, while this blog remains, for the most part, a politics-free zone, I just finished watching President Obama's press conference on health care reform. At some point over the past few days, it dawned on me that the health care debate is one that I should pay attention to -- I finally decided to do a little digging after hearing the term "single-payer health care" for the umpteenth time and being frustrated -- for the umpteenth time -- that I didn't really know what it meant. Now, I am more informed, but also confused. There's no question that as-is, the American health care system is underperforming. And that's unacceptable. I'm anxious to see how the debate plays out.

Wimbledon Update. Oh, and Happy Fourth of July!

2009-07-04T10:42:00.004-04:00

I'm in DC visiting family and enjoying a little rest and relaxation during the holiday weekend. My grandmother and I just watched Serena Williams become the 2009 Wimbledon Champion -- exciting, yes, but also a little heartbreaking, because she had to win one final match against her older sister, Venus, to do so.

We're watching the trophy presentation now. Venus is a very gracious runner-up. And Serena still can't believe that she won. They're so sweet! And absolutely fantastic -- very down-to-earth and incredibly talented.

I'm off to partake in some 4th of July activities (I'm thinking bbq and fireworks) -- Happy Fourth of July, everyone!

Wimbledon! And the Tennis Grunt?

2009-07-01T08:26:00.003-04:00

I'm up a little early today (I know! I am equally surprised . . .). The extra few minutes in the morning gave me time to catch up on some news (and write about it) before I officially start my day.

I've been pretty busy over the past week or so, but I still cannot believe that I seemed to forget about Wimbledon! I've just learned that both Venus and Serena have made it to the semi-final round, and if each wins her respective semi-final match, then they will face each other in the final. I love and hate it when that happens -- I'm always so happy to see them succeed, but it must a little difficult for them as well. Or maybe not . . . what do I know?

In related news, apparently a scandal has been brewing on the court (first at the French Open, and now at Wimbledon) over the intensity of the tennis "grunt" -- according to NBC's Today Show, Venus and Serena's grunt registers as loudly as a household vacuum cleaner, while Anna Kournikova's grunt is as loud as a motorbike. Question: Who took the time to figure this out?

I'm off to start my day. Here's to a good one!

The Bright Side

2009-06-29T00:36:00.003-04:00

It's been such a strange and sad week. The news cycle ( Iran, Gov. Sanford, the deaths of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson and Billy Mays) has left me reeling. And a little numb.

Last night, I took a break from 24 hour news and popped Rachel Getting Married into my DVD player. I loved it. What everyone's said about Anne Hathaway's performance is true (she was great). And the cinematography, the set design and Rachel's wedding (spoiler alert: in the end, Rachel actually does get married) were just perfect.

In other positive news, this weekend my brother and I got working on a little project that has been in the works (on a very basic level) for some time now. The project is still in its infancy, but once it's ready to launch I will share the news here. It combines my interest in design with my brother's interest in social entrepreneurship and community development, and I'm confident that it will be fantastic. Stay tuned!

P.S. I'm watching the Food Network's shameless "interpretation" of Bravo's Top Chef as I watch this. And guess what? It's not that bad! I think I might like this show. . .

The Weekend in Review

2009-06-21T21:01:00.010-04:00

This weekend was gloriously work-free. One of my goals for the weekend was to pick up a few investment pieces to spruce up my work wardrobe, which was in need of a little pick-me-up. I did find a few things, but now I'm experiencing buyer's remorse (this is what happens when there are ~~no sporting events~~ no attention-grabbing sporting events on television -- sorry, U.S. Open).

On Saturday, I ordered two pairs of shoes from Endless.com: pumps and flats, both for work.

I'll have to wait until Monday to see if these are going to work...

Also on Saturday, I picked up a cardigan from Banana Republic. It really was a steal at $40 (it's 100% cashmere!), but now I'm wondering whether the style will work with my wardrobe:

It looks cute on the Banana Republic.com model. I hope I can make it work for me, too.

And finally, today I purchased a pair of navy blue Max Mara pants and a black DKNY three-quarter sleeve blazer from Century 21 (Btw, that place is a zoo... I don't know why I keep subjecting myself to the madness there). The pants are definitely going back -- I got them home and tried them on again and realized they're just not what I was looking for. They're beautiful pants, but they don't work well with the loose, flowing blouses that I like to wear to work. I'm on the fence about the blazer -- I bought it because it coordinates with a pair of DKNY pants that I bought last summer that I stopped wearing to work because they wrinkle sooo easily. What's good about the blazer is that when worn with the pants, it will disguise most of the offending wrinkles.

So I'm not sure that I would call this weekend's shopping project a success. I think that I may have found a few good pieces, but it's too soon to tell. In the meantime, and in the absence of an NBA finals game to distract me (man, that series came and went in a flash), I will be entertaining myself with a generous scoop of pistachio gelato and tonight's episode of Army Wives.

First Lady Fashion

2009-06-06T20:57:00.007-04:00

Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni (Sarkozy) were in Normandy, France today to commemorate the 65th Anniversary of D-Day. The event was, of course, serious and at times somber. While watching MSNBC's coverage of today's event (and with complete understanding of and respect for the gravity of the commemoration), I could not help noticing that Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Bruni (Sarkozy) looked absolutely stunning:

images via Huffington Post

Thank You, Apartment Therapy

2009-06-06T16:43:00.004-04:00

Just wanted to say a big "thank you" to one of my all-time favorite blogs, Apartment Therapy, and its wonderfully helpful readers. Last week, I submitted a request for ideas about what to do with my living room wall. Take a look at the post, as well as all the helpful comments, here. I'm sorting through the comments and making plans for the wall now -- very exciting!

Thanks, AT!

The Weekend in Review

2009-05-31T23:38:00.005-04:00

This weekend wasn't nearly as restful as Memorial Day weekend -- I had a lot of work to do over the past two days. But somehow, I managed to pull together a productive and pleasant weekend. A few highlights:

1. I was able to get a decent amount of work done this weekend, during designated blocks of "work time" on both days (had this not happened, I never would have enjoyed this weekend's non-work activities).

2. Trip to Whole Foods at 9am on Saturday: Early AM is definitely the best time to go to the Tribeca Whole Foods. The produce has not been rummaged through (yet), the shelves are still stocked with my favorite snacks, and the checkout lines won't start snaking through the aisles for another few hours.

3. Brooklyn Flea! The last time I made a trip to Brooklyn Flea, the market was just a few weeks old and I wasn't that impressed. Not so anymore! The Flea is all grown up now -- more vendors + quirky vintage merchandise = success. On Saturday, I snagged a vintage Polaroid camera (check it out here), and my brother (who was equally impressed with the Flea) picked up a vintage plaid travel bag and a decades-old, bright yellow Pennsylvania commercial license plate. Our grand total? $31!

4. Caramelita Bars. The Whole Foods version of these yummy treats inspired me to make my own at home, which I did while watching the Orlando Magic play their way to the NBA Finals on Saturday night (the highlight of my weekend). This recipe worked well for me, but beware: baking the bars at 350 degrees for 25 minutes after layering the chocolate, nuts and caramel is totally insufficient. Check them at 25 minutes, but be prepared to bake them for 45 min --until the top layer is slightly firm and no longer gooey.

5. The IKEA Water Taxi to Brooklyn. The weather on Sunday was *perfect* for a free ride from downtown Manhattan to Red Hook, Brooklyn on the IKEA Water Taxi. On the way to IKEA, we had a perfect view of the Queen Mary 2 (check her out here). On the way back to Manhattan, we had a perfect view of the Statute of Liberty. In between, I picked up 3 little plants ($1.50/each) for my windowsill -- fingers crossed that I don't kill the plants this time (check them out here -- they may never look this good again).

Just typing this post left me exhausted. Time for bed. Here's hoping for an equally productive week.

An Open Letter to Kobe Bryant

2009-05-23T23:20:00.005-04:00

Dear Kobe,

You used to be my favorite NBA player. I drank Sprite, not because I liked it (it's just okay), but because you endorsed it and I liked you. I tried the McDonald's Big 'n Tasty burger, not only because I love burgers, but also because you really seemed to like it in that commercial you shot for McDonald's (the Big 'n Tasty, by the way, is delicious). I watched your games religiously, not just because my dad is the biggest Lakers fan I know, but because I looked forward to watching you play.

Then, in 2003, you made a mistake. A big one. You let your family down. You let your fans down. You cried on national television. You lost your endorsements. And you lost my support.

Slowly but steadily, you began to repair your image. You changed your attitude. You changed your outlook. I remember watching how you handled yourself at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. You really had matured.

I just watched you and the rest of the Lakers beat the Nuggets in Denver. The game wasn't perfectly executed, but you guys managed to pick up a win. At the end of the game, you looked absolutely exhausted. You played your heart out, and it showed.

You're an excellent basketball player -- the whole world knows that. It's still hard for me to accept that you were involved in such a messy situation, but I'm doing my best. It seems that you have found a way to turn your life around, and it seems that those who were personally affected by your mistake have found a way to move forward, too.

Congratulations on a game well played.

Decorating Detox

2009-05-23T22:47:00.005-04:00

I am officially putting the rest of my apartment decorating project on hold -- just until my lovely mother comes to NYC for a visit in July. I am in the process of convincing her to stage a design intervention and to correct the errors I have made along the way. Don't get me wrong; I still love my apartment and I still love the decorating process. It's just that I feel that I've hit a wall (absolutely no pun intended), and I think I need to take a step back and seek the design advice of someone who does not see my apartment on a daily basis. There is one small section of my living room that I absolutely love, and I wouldn't change a thing about it. But the rest of my living room (particularly the wall behind my television), my kitchen and my entryway definitely need more work. As does my bedroom -- according to my brother, who was visiting last weekend, it looks a little dated. And socially conservative. That is definitely not the look I was going for when I decorated it less than a year ago. Oops.

So, the apartment decorating project will remain on hiatus until July, at least. I'll still scour design blogs and magazines for ideas, but instead of rushing to make immediate changes to my living space, I will focus instead on really thinking about what I want, and on keeping my apartment clean, not cluttered. I'm actually pretty excited about this -- I had become so obsessed with making my apartment "perfect" that I had begun neglecting some of my favorite hobbies -- like baking and reading (especially chick lit and military history...guess that explains why I love Lifetime's Army Wives so much). Another bonus? I'll have more time to devote to my blog -- I have some new ideas about how to have a little more fun with it, and I can't wait to try them!

Ron Artest Is Still a Little Crazy

2009-05-08T00:37:00.003-04:00

Apparently, there was a little skirmish during last night's playoff game between the Lakers and the Rockets. ( I missed the game, but my dad gave me the scoop this morning.)

Ron Artest's post-ejection (yes; he was ejected from the game) interview is priceless. And I don't think there's anything else to be said about it -- the footage speaks for itself.

Ode to Domino: When Will It Stop Raining in NYC?

2009-05-06T09:00:00.001-04:00

It's basically been raining in NYC since last Friday. Unbelievable. Perhaps purple-hued walls and peacock feathers will help.

Elizabeth Edwards

2009-05-06T00:01:00.003-04:00

Elizabeth Edwards is such a class act. I've seen a few clips of her interview with Oprah (airing in its entirety this Thursday) on MSNBC, and I just saw a few more on Nightline. She's going (and has gone) through so much -- the loss of her son, cancer, her husband's infidelity -- and yet she's just as strong and poised as anyone could hope to be under the same circumstances.

I'm so mad at John Edwards for the disrespect he showed toward his wife. But I'm so impressed by her dignity and grace.

The Funniest Thing I"ve Ever Seen:

2009-05-05T23:02:00.001-04:00

Simon (in skintight red pants) dancing with Ramona on the season finale of Real Housewives (NY). Hysterical. I'm still laughing.

Man, I'll miss this show. The Real Housewives of New Jersey better deliver.

Ode to Domino: Escaping Through Design

2009-05-04T09:00:00.001-04:00

The weather in New York City has been pretty dreary lately. I'm choosing to respond to this by pretending that I'm on vacation in some fabulous locale. Preferably, one where I could relax in this lovely room with a good book.

To Play(off) or not to Play(off)

2009-05-03T19:54:00.004-04:00

In grad school, I wrote a paper about whether the Bowl Championship Series violates U.S. antitrust laws. (My conclusion? It might. It might not.) One thing, however, is for sure: Congress is up in arms about the BCS. In between combating the swine flu and fixing the economy, Congress is, once again, demanding that a playoff system replace the current fuzzy math that determines the Division I college football champion. President Obama has gone on the record in favor of a playoff system as well.

I'm in favor of a playoff system,too. But I also find it hard to be totally opposed to a process that, while convoluted, delivered two championships in the past three years to my beloved Florida Gators.

Michelle Obama's Sneakers

2009-05-03T18:23:00.005-04:00

US Weekly is conducting a poll to see who among its readers likes the Lanvin sneakers that Michelle Obama wore to the Capitol Food Bank last week. The shoes are funky, yes. But any First Lady who wears these kicks is okay in my book. Plus, her service at the food bank is far more important than the shoes.

Images: New York Daily News

Ode to Domino: Splash of Yellow

2009-05-01T10:00:00.000-04:00

Spring is in the air in New York City, and the yellow wall behind the bookshelves in this photo screams spring. So does the beautiful couch in the foreground, for that matter.

The J. Crew University Pant in Navy

2009-04-30T22:06:00.005-04:00

My work wardrobe is still a work-in-progress, but one theme has emerged: Navy, and lots of it! I was never one to wear that much navy -- black has always been my dark, neutral shade of choice. But navy has emerged as a major player in my new work wardrobe -- so much so that I think it's time to supplement the pair of navy stovepipe DKNY trousers that I wear at least once a week (I found them on sale and I love them) with another pair of navy pants. I really like this pair from J. Crew (in favorite fit, J. Crew's most universally flattering cut):

Thoughts?

Ode to Domino: Serene Bedroom

2009-04-30T10:00:00.000-04:00

I am almost 100% confident that I am the last person publicly mourning the loss of Domino magazine. But I have a few more pics to share! (plus, after seeing this link to my little blog on Apartment Therapy, I'm beginning to think that I am perhaps not the only person still mourning the loss of Domino...)

I love the tufted headboard and aquamarine coverlet in this bedroom. So simple and serene!

Charles Barkeley Is Still on TNT

2009-04-29T23:58:00.003-04:00

TNT's coverage of the NBA Playoffs is well underway. I really haven't been keeping up (but I will start -- soon). All I know is that the Lakers have been playing pretty well and that the Hawks won tonight. Oh, and that the Spurs are done (ouch!).

I'm conflicted about Charles Barkley's return to TNT. As we all know, he had an unfortunate run-in with the law several months ago. Should he have returned so soon? I, for one, am having an incredibly hard time taking him seriously. Something about this is just wrong.

Five Reasons to Love Gabriel Byrne

2009-04-28T21:38:00.003-04:00

My cable was out for 2 days this week. To compensate me for my troubles, Time Warner Cable has gifted me with a $4 credit to this month's bill and one free month of HBO, HBO2 and Showtime. One hour into my free month of premium channels and I'm suddenly reminded just how much I miss Gabriel Byrne in In Treatment. Here's why:

1. In Treatment is such an amazingly authentic depiction of raw, unfiltered emotion. Gabriel Byrne delivers a compelling performance in every episode.

2. Byrne began his acting career at 29 -- he worked as an archaeologist, bullfighter and teacher before turning to acting full-time.

3. He works as a UNICEF ambassador.

4. Today, he calls Brooklyn home.

5. And finally, my personal favorite: Gabriel Byrne once dated Naomi Campbell!

(Random facts courtesy of Wikipedia.)

Herb Garden

2009-04-26T18:10:00.008-04:00

Several months ago, I attempted to start a little herb garden in my windowsill. It didn't start. I think the seeds were bad. ( I found them in the clearance bin at Target.) Today I tried again, minus the seeds:

This time, I found an already-growing flat leaf Italian parsley plant at Home Depot. I re-potted it, watered it, and placed it in the sunny windowsill. I hope it grows!

P.S. If anyone has any advice on how not to kill my parsley plant, please share!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

2009-04-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

Today is my dad's birthday. He's the best. Happy birthday, Dad. Don't fall out of the hammock! (inside joke)

A Tale of Two Jimmys

2009-04-25T00:52:00.005-04:00

Jimmy Fallon's late-night show is growing on me. I caught a few episodes during his first week, and the secondhand embarrassment was almost too much to take. Jimmy F. was incredibly nervous, and it showed. But he's gotten so much more comfortable with the show, and I'm really starting to like it! He's had some great guests ... Justin Timberlake, Rashida Jones, Robert DeNiro ... and it certainly helps that Fallon snagged The Roots as the house band every single night. (aside: 3 years ago, my brother and I caught them in concert at Radio City Music Hall. That concert still ranks as one of my top 3 entertainment experiences of all time. Hands down.).

I felt similarly about Jimmy Kimmel's show when it first aired in 2003. I didn't like it at all, but somewhere between laughing at Uncle Frank and "This Week in Unnecessary Censorship," I was sold.

While we're on the subject of late-night talk show hosts, here's hoping that Jay Leno feels better and returns to television soon.

Apartment Inspiration

2009-04-23T22:27:00.007-04:00

Work has been pretty stressful this week -- not as stressful as the week before last (that was more like one really, really long day), but this week was stressful enough. I suppose I should have known something was up when I found myself staying up until 3 a.m. on Sunday night/Monday morning, trying my best to complete a complicated (some would say impossible) assignment. I try not to dwell on the stressful aspects of my job, though. Instead, I choose to focus on the fact that in this economic environment, I should consider myself lucky (and I do) to have a job.

One thing I like to do when I feel stressed is to focus on things that make me happy . . . like decorating my first non-studio apartment (the apartment is, and perhaps always will be, a work-in-progress). With that in mind, I thought that it would be fun to share the original inspiration for my apartment decor.

When I first moved into my apartment last September, I took a few minutes to take in the view from my 27th floor window. After overcoming my fear of heights, I noticed this beautiful building in the distance:

And here are some of the apartment additions that this little gem of a building has inspired in the months since:

Apartment Find: Dane Table Lamp

2009-04-18T17:00:00.007-04:00

Today's a beautiful day in New York City, and I took advantage of the sunny weather by taking a leisurely stroll from my apartment to Soho . . . where I stumbled into the CB2 store and found exactly what the console table in my living room was missing: the Dane Table Lamp!

Four Reasons to Hook up my TIVO this Spring/Summer

2009-04-14T23:58:00.005-04:00

1. Lifetime's Army Wives. Maybe it's because I'm an Air Force brat. Maybe it's because I love nighttime soaps. Whatever the reason, I am obsessed with this show. I've seen every episode at least twice. It makes me nostalgic for my childhood. New season premieres in June.

2. Bravo's Real Housewives of New Jersey. Enough said. New season premieres in May.

3. Bravo's, err Lifetime's Project Runway. Finally, PR has been freed from the unrelenting grip of that nasty legal battle over the show's move to Lifetime. New season premieres in June (?).

4. WeTV's Bridezillas. This show is outrageous and I love every minute of it. I think it's addictive. I've even convinced my mother and grandmother to watch. (This, I might add, is no small feat. It is very hard to convince them that any reality television show other than Judge Judy, Judge Joe Brown, Judge Mathis, The People's Court or Divorce Court is worth watching.) New season premieres in June.

A New Trench Coat Option

2009-04-14T23:47:00.004-04:00

It's *pouring* in NYC right now, and the inclement weather has reminded me that my search for the perfect trench is not over. Yesterday's options were vetoed by my personal wardrobe consultant/mother. Today, I found this trench while "window shopping" online. I love the sleek lines of this option (shown in black and khaki):

image: Bloomingdales.com ($195)

Thoughts? I'm leaning toward the black trench.

Please Help Me Pick Out a (Cute, Affordable) Trench Coat

2009-04-13T22:12:00.011-04:00

I need a new trench coat. A few years ago, a bought a great chocolate brown trench from The Gap. It was on sale and it was fabulous. I wore that trench every day that I could -- and now it shows. So I need a new one -- I'm looking for something lightweight, chic and professional-looking. (I'm trying to prepare in advance for those times when work will require me to (a) be out of the office when the weather is bad and (b) look presentable once I get to the out-of-office destination.)

Last Friday, I purchased this Ellen Tracy trench at downtown Manhattan's always unnecessarily hectic discount department store, Century 21. I tried it on in the store, and again at home, where I discovered that it just wasn't a good fit. I'm returning it. The funnel neck collar (it's convertible) is what drew it to me at first:

image: nordstrom.com ($138)

While window-shopping online earlier today, I fell in love with this beautiful Vivienne Westwood trench at Liberty, the UK retailer. Its asymmetrical drape is stunning (as is its price tag):

image: liberty.co.uk (approximately $675)

Harper's Bazaar UK directed me to this option from Banana Republic. I love this shade of gray and the unconventional collar, but it might be too "crinkled" and casual for work:

image: bananarepublic.com ($79.99 -on sale)

Any thoughts on these? Any other suggestions? Is there an amazing trench out there that I'm missing? Do tell.

Apartment Addition, Courtesy of My Grandmother. (Hi, Grandma!)

2009-04-10T20:59:00.007-04:00

I really wanted to wait until the morning to take a few shots of the picture that my grandmother stitched for me (so that I could catch some natural light!), but my mom insisted that I post pictures now. Here are a few (which do not showcase the picture as well as they should -- more to come later, when the sun comes out again).

Seriously, Arizona State University? Seriously?

2009-04-10T14:37:00.004-04:00

I just completed the most grueling 13 days of non-stop work. It was exciting and interesting, but also very demanding. I have so much blog updating to do, but I am also exhausted. Getting some rest is first on my agenda. . . right after I comment on this bit of news: It seems that Arizona State University has invited President Barack Obama to be the University's commencement speaker this year, but declined to grant him an honorary degree. Why? Because, according to an ASU spokesperson, "his body of work is yet to come."

Is this some sort of (ill-conceived) joke?

Good Touch, Bad Touch.

2009-04-01T23:09:00.008-04:00

First, the Good: I recently purchased the (still relatively) new touch screen Blackberry Storm. Confession: I really wanted an iPhone, but I am a loyal Verizon customer and I refuse to switch to AT&T just for the "it" Phone. None of that matters, though, because the Storm is great. I feel like I've finally stepped into this century! I can't believe how much I can do with this phone (the web browsing is amazing ... even my little blog looks great on the Storm). Plus, today the Blackberry App World launched, complete with tons of fun applications. I have already downloaded a few new, shiny apps (including mobile-friendly versions of Elle and Slate and something called Viigo that comes highly recommended).

Now, the Bad: Evidently, touching the Queen without being invited to do so is bad form. According to several news outlets, First Lady Michelle Obama gently touched the Queen on the back without an invite during a visit to Buckingham Palace today. Outrage ensued.

In other Michelle Obama news, doesn't she look great here, pictured with Sarah Brown, wife of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown? The best part? She's wearing J. Crew!

Image: The Times Online (UK)

Working with What You Have

2009-03-29T17:08:00.009-04:00

After taking a few photos of my apartment yesterday, I decided to rearrange a few things:

I moved the Palmer stools (again), this time tucking them underneath the espresso brown console table that I found at Target.com for $99.99 (and assembled on my own, I might add). I also moved the mini palm -- I hope it gets enough sunlight in its new home!

The changes were small, but I think they made a difference.

Villanova v. Pitt: Good for College Basketball. Bad for my Bracket.

2009-03-28T21:20:00.004-04:00

Just finished watching Villanova v. Pitt. What an exciting game! I'm still catching my breath.

'Nova took this one, and I should be upset about it, because my bracket is officially toast -- I had Pitt winning the Tournament. But I'm not upset at all. I'm thrilled, actually, because Villanova deserved to win this one -- they hustled, they played hard, and the number 3 seed beat its Big East rival/the number 1 seed in the region. Granted, things got a little sloppy near the end after Villanova realized that they just might win this thing. But what about Scottie Reynolds' buzzer beater at the end? Amazing. I live for upsets like that.

I suppose this is a little bittersweet -- the Pitt guys are crying (or look like they could, at least). I am sorry for them. But I'm a little more excited for Villanova.

Updated Apartment Photos

2009-03-28T19:47:00.019-04:00

For Mom and Grandma:

The living room, in toto.

( I really should have fluffed that middle cushion before taking this shot.)

*Love* these pillows.

I found these books at Librarie de France. Librarie was the first retail tenant at NYC's Rockefeller Center, and they will be closing their doors for good at the end of the summer.

I still can't decide where these "Palmer" stools from Z Gallerie should go, but I do like them nestled in this corner. The mini palm tree was a Valentine's gift from my family, and I found the white planter at cb2 for $14.95! ( The lighting here is a little weird -- I think the sun was reflecting off the top of the stools.)

The coffee table. I'm a magazine junkie.

See that tote bag tucked under the zebra chair? Hidden inside are the infamous sewing class pajama pants. And yes, they remain unfinished.

The kitchen.

A close-up of my "Cafe Paris" favorites, plus the Orla Kiely canister that my brother scored for me at Target.

My bedroom.

I made the faux headboard myself! I found the fabric at the Marimekko Concept Store on the Upper East Side. (Please ignore the unsightly iHome "antenna" on the bedside table.)

My "dressing table."

That's it for now. Operation "Making My Apartment a Home" continues.

P.S. I still have March Madness pictures to post. They're coming. I promise.

Live from Miami

2009-03-22T19:38:00.005-04:00

Hi from South Florida! My brother and I have just returned from the last two games of the second round action in Miami. It was an absolute blast. We watched two really exciting games, after which the Syracuse Orangemen and the Arizona Wildcats each had earned a berth to the Sweet Sixteen.

Here are a few highlights, courtesy of our hotel's wireless network (which works so much better than the wireless in my apartment back in New York -- that conveniently stopped working a few days before I left, leaving me without a reliable internet connection for the better part of the first week of March Madness...).

1. The Syracuse guys really like each other, and they play like it: During this afternoon's first game between Syracuse and Arizona State, it was really obvious that the Syracuse players like playing together and that they are very well-coached (love Jim Boeheim). Even during the warm-ups, the players were very supportive of each other, focused and energized. It was nice to see.

2. University of Arizona fans are an organized, enthusiastic bunch. The fans in the stands at Miami's American Airlines Arena knew most of the songs that the band played and many of the cheers that the cheerleading squad led -- and they were not afraid to display their loyalty (to everyone).

3. Speaking of the University of Arizona band, there was a female band member -- a clarinet player sitting very close to my brother and me -- who was, by far, the most enthusiastic college band member that I have ever seen in my entire life with the highest pitched voice that I have ever heard in my entire life. It was impossible to miss her (or her voice), even with all the action on the court. My brother and I were pulling for the Cleveland State Vikings (I can never resist pulling for the underdog), but her display of team spirit was so infectiously over the top that even I had to smile and cheer when the Wildcats won.

That's it for now. I'll upload pictures to the blog soon (yes, that means that I finally recovered my digital camera!). Then I need to rest! It's been a long (and incredibly fun) day.

Tournament Opener

2009-03-17T19:26:00.003-04:00

I cannot believe that I made it home in time to catch the first game in this year's NCAA Tournament. In just a few minutes, #16 Alabama State will face off against #16 Morehead State to earn the right to play this year's all-around #1 team, Louisville. Yeah, it's a "win tonight/lose on Friday when you have to play Louisville" situation. But who cares?! I'm still stoked for tonight. I've got my eyes on the Alabama State Hornets.

Let the Madness Begin!

2009-03-15T20:26:00.006-04:00

Image: espn.com (it's actually legible there)

It's finally here! The field has been narrowed to 65 teams, and this week the Madness begins. I almost forgot how much I love this time of year. It looks like my brother and I will get to catch Syracuse (of "six overtimes" fame) in Miami next Sunday -- provided that they beat Stephen F. Austin State University on Friday. Here's hoping.

(P.S. Florida State lost to Duke, but no biggie -- they made it to the Tournament, and they'll be heading to Boise, Idaho to play a first round game against Wisconsin later this week.)

Selection Sunday. But First, the ACC Championship Game.

2009-03-15T12:21:00.003-04:00

Selection Sunday is finally here! I'm so excited. This evening, I'll have a better idea of which teams my brother and I are likely to see when we head down to Miami for Round 2 of the Madness.

But first: In just over 30 minutes, Florida State will meet Duke in the ACC Championship Game. As I've explained before, I am a Florida Gators fan. My blood runs orange and blue. So what I am about to say is going to be shocking. At the risk of alienating Gators fans everywhere, here goes: I am pulling for the Seminoles to deliver an upset in the ACC Championship Game. That's right, I really, really, really want FSU to win. This has more to do with my tendency to pull against Duke basketball than anything else. (Sorry Duke fans -- I really like Coach K and I respect Duke's program. But I firmly believe that Duke basketball is consistently overrated, each and every year.) Plus, as someone who calls Florida home, I have to support the Seminoles in their quest to stir up the basketball hierarchy of the Southeastern United States (defeating North Carolina was a great start).

Time to get ready for the game. Under normal circumstances, I'd be snacking on pizza and wings and little pigs-in-a-blanket while my eyes are glued to my TV. But I'm battling a cold at the moment, so instead I'll be enjoying a steady diet of throat losenges and chamomile tea. Yum.

Go 'Noles!

Recession Specials

2009-03-14T20:17:00.005-04:00

My family and friends will tell you that I love Target. A lot. I can spend hours in that store (just ask my brother-- I've dragged him to Target for a marathon shopping session on several occasions). Moreover, as someone who has been furnishing a new apartment in the middle of a recession, I really appreciate the small items for the house that I've found at Target (including, for example, the silver bowl on my coffee table that I scored for $5 and the great-smelling J.R. Watkins all-natural hand soap in my bathroom that set me back $3).

According to this Time Magazine article, Target is being outdone by Wal-Mart as the economy continues to tank. Why? Well, for starters, Target apparently devotes some 40% of its shelf space to home and apparel items (so that's why I love shopping there so much), while Wal-Mart sets aside 45% of its shelf space for grocery, health and beauty items ("consumerables"). When money is tight, consumers are more likely to fork over cash for grocery and health items than for home goods and apparel. And Wal-Mart's prices on consumerables are better than those at Target (in all fairness, even I have to admit that I've noticed that Wal-Mart's prices on these items are better than those at my beloved Target).

For what it's worth, Target is not taking this lying down. The company is shifting its focus toward consumerables, and will soon begin offering a larger, more prominently featured selection of groceries and other non-home/apparel items in an effort to regain some ground in the discount retailer market. That sounds fine -- as long as Target doesn't drop the fun, affordable home and apparel offerings that keep the interior designers and wardrobe stylists in all of us coming back for more!

I Love my Grandma. And France.

2009-03-14T18:46:00.007-04:00

At some point during the process of designing my new apartment, my sensibilities took a very French turn. I became obsessed with all things French -- from the black and white canvas print of the Arc de Triomphe that hangs behind my couch to the "Cafe Paris" sugar bowl in my kitchen to the vintage French books that I found earlier today at a small French bookstore here in New York, I've tried to sneak a little piece of France in most corners of my apartment.

In December, I stumbled upon the pretty "French" cross stitch pattern pictured above. And for the past four months, my sharp, politically savvy, all-around fabulous grandmother has been working on this picture for me. With love. She's the best. I can't wait to hang it in my apartment. I'm very lucky.

Ode to Domino: Funky Fern

2009-03-13T10:00:00.000-04:00

That funky fern looks great in this bathroom. I'd love to keep a plant in the bathroom in my apartment, but it gets absolutely no sunlight at all, so I'd have to find a plant that wouldn't miss the sun. I'm very open to suggestions.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

2009-03-13T09:00:00.001-04:00

Today is my Mom's birthday. She was the very first person to read my little blog and she remains one of my most loyal readers. I love you, Mom. Happy birthday!
xoxo

Ode to Domino: Black and White and Big Feathers!

2009-03-12T10:00:00.000-04:00

I've been experimenting with mostly black and white photographic prints on the walls of my apartment -- I really like the clean lines and calming effect of simple black and white art. And I absolutely love the grand scale of the black feathers on the white folding screen here.

Ode to Domino: Seafoam Green Nightstand

2009-03-11T10:00:00.001-04:00

I love, love, love this little nightstand. How adorable! The contrast between the green nightstand and the blue and white striped rug is perfect.

(P.S. I realize that I am one of just a handful people still mouring the loss of Domino magazine. But I have tons of images stored, and I want to share them!)

Countdown to Selection Sunday

2009-03-10T21:48:00.006-04:00

Under normal circumstances, by this time of year I'd know who's heavily favored to be a #1 seed in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, who's expected to win the whole thing, and what my beloved Florida Gators have been up to for the past 3 months or so. This year has not been so normal. It's taken me a while to adjust to my new schedule, and I'm still working on figuring out how to balance work and life in a way that works well for me. (I should explain that this is not a complaint. The economy is nothing short of scary right now, and every day I am so thankful to be gainfully employed.) I've also been slightly obsessed with getting settled in my new apartment and furnishing it in a way that makes me feel comfortable at home. And, in the midst of these adjustments, I have not been keeping up with the NCAA men's basketball action. This is bad, because my brother and I will be attending two Round 2 games at Miami's American Airlines Arena on March 22, and I refuse to be ill-informed during the year that I have the opportunity to see a few games in person. That means I have less than 2 weeks to catch up!

Here's the plan for catching up: (1) Bury myself in ESPN.com from now until Selection Sunday. (2) Substitute SportsCenter for MSNBC in the mornings while I'm getting ready for work. (3) Cross my fingers, cash in all favors and hope to goodness that the Gators find a way to the Tournament this year.

Sewing Class Wasn't "Sew" Easy (Awful Pun, I Know. I Couldn't Help Myself.)

2009-03-08T17:45:00.005-04:00

Today was the last day of my sewing class at FIT. I didn't walk away with a complete pair of pajama pants (I have 4 separate "leg" pieces of fabric; 2 of them are semi-connected in a pant-like fashion). So, 5 weeks and $230 later, I don't have a completed garment. But I do have some basic sewing skills: I know the names of most parts of a sewing machine. I understand how the different parts work. I can sew a straight line. I understand what it means to sew "with the grain" of the fabric. And I can thread a sewing machine (my proudest accomplishment).

There are several other sewing classes at FIT (Learn to Sew Like a Pro II and III, to be exact). I do want to take these, but I want to finish my pajama pants first. The plan now is to invest in a good sewing instruction book and a decent machine. Once I get the basics down, I'll move on to the next class. Of course, my ultimate goal is the same: making myself a shift dress that I can wear this summer.

Michelle Obama on the Cover of The Oprah Magazine ("O")

2009-03-06T19:38:00.006-05:00

For the first time ever, Oprah Winfrey does not appear alone on the cover of "O" Magazine. Who's the very special guest on the cover of the April 2009 issue? First Lady Michelle Obama!

Ode to Domino: DIY Inspiration

2009-03-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

Something about this bedroom is so appealing to me. I love the clean lines of the dresser and the bed and the contrasting patterns on the throw pillows. And I really love the art on the wall! It's so funky and modern. The walls in my living room are painted a similar shade of "greige," and I'm considering dripping some of the leftover paint on a white canvas and hanging the canvas on my wall for a similar effect.

Ode to Domino: Color Contrast

2009-03-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

I *love* this bedroom. Stark color contrast has always appealed to me, and the contrast here is so well done. And how great is that duvet (coverlet?)?

Ode to Domino: Color and Patterns

2009-03-04T10:00:00.001-05:00

The Bachelor distracted me from the "Ode to Domino" series earlier this week. But that doesn't mean that I've stopped mourning the loss of my favorite magazine.

I love the contrast between the brightly colored and patterned textiles and the stark white walls here. Dead animal on the floor? Not so much.

No More Roses. Please.

2009-03-03T23:37:00.007-05:00

Jason "I accidentally gave this rose to the wrong girl" Mesnick

Jillian "I hope I pick the right guy the first time" Harris

Part 2 of the "After the Final Rose Ceremony" special was a joke. Jason and Molly are (allegedly) happy together. Melissa kept it classy and stayed far away from the show. Jillian (runner up #2) is the new "Bachelorette."

I'm totally over this show. I was never a huge fan, but I started watching it ages ago when I was in college and I appreciated it for the mindless entertainment it offered at the time. Now that I'm a little older, I realize that the show is ridiculous, if not cruel and exploitative.

The next chapter in this never-ending saga begins on May 18 with a new installment of The Bachelorette (featuring Jillian). Seriously? Haven't we all had enough? I have. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't going to sneak a peek when the new season rolls around. What can I say? Old habits die hard.

They Might Be Free, but They're Not Easy

2009-03-03T23:08:00.005-05:00

The NY Times ran this incredibly fascinating article about the free throw. That's right -- the entire article is about player performance at the charity stripe. The bottom line? On average, success at the free throw line has not improved in 50 years. Neither endless practices nor Air Jordans have helped. In the words of Larry Wright, assistant professor at Columbia (Statistics), this phenomenon is "mind-boggling." Indeed it is. Perhaps Shaq can find some comfort in this.

The Most Dramatic Rose Ceremony Ever. Real Talk.

2009-03-03T00:49:00.007-05:00

Usually, ABC is lying when it claims that an upcoming rose ceremony on The Bachelor will be "the most dramatic ceremony ever." But today, ABC did not lie. I literally fell off the couch and hit the floor hard while watching tonight's episode. Oh.My.Word. ABC's bachelor, Jason Mesnick, dumped Melissa shortly after proposing to her in New Zealand. I thought they were so in love! And to make matters worse, he has now started a relationship with Molly, the 24 year old department store buyer from Grand Rapids, Michigan (Jason dumped her shortly before proposing to Melissa).

I am speechless. I actually liked Jason! He seemed like a really sincere guy. Maybe he is sincere, and maybe something happened between Jason and Melissa that totally explains this baffling development. I just don't get it. I was really shocked when Molly basically welcomed Jason back with open arms soon after learning that he had shown Melissa the door. I really hope that things work out for Melissa. She was always my favorite. Team Melissa!

Michelle Obama's Official White House Photo

2009-02-28T10:09:00.009-05:00

Image via The Huffington Post. Photograph by Joyce N. Boghosian.

First Lady Michelle Obama's official White House photo has been released (above). Isn't she stunning? Much has been made about her frequent donning of the sleeveless shift dress -- many have begun to wonder whether it is "appropriate" for the First Lady to go sleeveless. I, for one, love the sleeveless shift dress. It's a classic! And if you ask me, the First Lady looks modern, fit and totally fabulous.

When Sports and Fashion Collide...or Unite, Rather.

2009-02-28T10:00:00.001-05:00

Image via People Magazine

On Thursday night, supermodel Gisele Bundchen and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (who is pretty good looking himself) wed in a small ceremony in Los Angeles. Two summers ago, I spotted this stunning couple while dining with friends at Pure Food and Wine (nothing on the menu had been heated above 118 degrees and absolutely no wheat, dairy, or soy products were involved in the preparation of the food...it was an "experience"). For the record, Gisele and Tom are just as beautiful in person as they are under the bright lights. And while I'm still a little bummed about the whole Bridget Moynihan thing (love you, Bridget!), I hope that Gisele and Tom are happy.

When Politics and Sports Collide

2009-02-28T09:56:00.003-05:00

I may have mentioned before (for example, here and here) that I love unexpected pairings, such as fashion and politics, or politics and sports. Here's another example of the latter: Barack Obama took some time out of his schedule yesterday to catch the Chicago Bulls play the Washington Wizards at Washington's MCI Arena (the Bulls lost).

Ode to Domino: Blue & Pink Living Room

2009-02-27T10:00:00.000-05:00

So I promised that today's "Ode to Domino" would not be another blue kitchen. And it's not! It's a refreshingly modern blue and pink living room. What a fun, airy space.

Ode to Domino: Blue Tiles

2009-02-26T10:00:00.001-05:00

I promise that tomorrow's "Ode to Domino" will not involve another blue kitchen. But I couldn't resist posting this. These tiles are just delightful.

Ode to Domino: Blue Kitchen Cabinets

2009-02-25T10:00:00.000-05:00

I wish I had the nerve to paint the cabinets in my rental. I don't, of course, but if I did, they would look like this.

Ode to Domino: Blue Dining Area

2009-02-24T10:00:00.000-05:00

By now, there's no sense in denying (because I certainly haven't been hiding) my love for blue interiors. Here's another favorite. I love everthing about this casual dining area: the blue wall, the wall hanging, the mismatched chairs, the pillows...

Sewing Class Success

2009-02-23T12:00:00.000-05:00

Sewing class went very well yesterday. This is due, in no small part, to the fact that we did absolutely no sewing in Sunday's class. Instead, we traced and cut the pattern for our pajama bottoms. Compared to my performance in the past two classes, I was an excellent student. In addition to tracing with the best of them, I even adjusted the pattern to accommodate my inseam (34") and to un-taper the legs.

Next week, it's back to the sewing machine. Sigh. (Hopefully, reviewing the book pictured above, which I'm told is one of the best, will help.)

Ode to Domino: Fantasy Dishwasher

2009-02-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

How amazing is that blue dishwasher? In a perfect world, it would be mine.

Paying Homage to Project Runway (or, doing the homework for my sewing class)

2009-02-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

Today, I am up bright and early to run a few very important errands before I settle in for an afternoon of work (on a Saturday, yes, but I didn't have to work at all over the holiday weekend, so I'm not complaining). First on my list? A trip to Mood Fabrics! I have to pick out a "lightweight cotton fabric" (no plaids, no knits) suitable for the pajama bottoms that I will be making in Sunday's class at FIT. For this assignment, I couldn't think of a better place than the store that Project Runway introduced to the fashion design and reality television lovers among us.

Alright, I'm off. I'm so excited!

Ode to Dominio: Blue Dining Chairs

2009-02-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

These blue dining chairs are so cute and whimsical! (And on a related note, sorting through my collection of Domino images has taught me that a certain shade of blue (that "retro '50s" blue meets "Tiffany" blue meets "Fiestaware" peacock blue meets "Bliss packaging" blue) holds a very special place in my interior design-loving heart. )