Corny Confession

I am clenching my jaw so as not to let the words loose, but they are ramming at my teeth to bust out and proclaim that...that...here they come!!...

Kellie Pickler made me cry.

Yes sir, she did.  Thankfully, you can't see the heat prickling up my face for admitting this.  And thankfully, no one was home to see my slobber session.

Here is how it started.  I called my mother last night to say happy birthday, and she was watching Dancing with the Stars.  She mentioned that Kellie Pickler won and didn't realize it for a few moments after the announcement, silly girl.

Although I'm not really a viewer of this particular show, I love dance.  When I was a teen, my aspirations were to hitch a one way ride to hotspot NYC, rent a studio and dance my way to fame (literally, I wanted to be on the show Fame or at least in a sequel to the movie).  I was Jennifer Jr., aka flashdance girl.  I already owned leg warmers and several Hanes sweatshirts that I lopped the neckline off of so it would slump down over my shoulders in that oh-so-cool way.  Alas, life had a very different path for me, and I did not jump in a "Brooklyn or Bust" beetlebug van and head for the concrete jungle.  (Not that life anywhere can't be a jungle, I have discovered).

Enough about me, back to Kellie..

I went to the shows repeats and fourth up were Kellie and Derek.  I have seen Derek before and cannot even speak of how amazing he is as a choreographer and dancer and person in general.  I find him to be very gallant, chivalrous to his partners, and a fascination to watch as he helps them emerge from their dancing cocoons.

Well, let me just say, that from the first step on the floor, I was raptured in the emotion of the song and dance.  I could not take my eyes off of her.  Now Derek, whom is a spotlight stealer by absolutely no intention, he is just that good, well he created this dance to completely showcase Kellie and put himself as a subtle anchor.  That is a great teacher-to exalt the student. 

Ms. Kellie more than held her own.  She was a strong and graceful beauty.  She yanked my heart straight up into my throat with her first move.  I strained to keep tears from forming, but as the first one welled and then slipped down my cheek, I threw caution to the wind and let 'em rip.  I couldn't wipe them away fast enough before more were chasing after the first.  I am like that with seeing people excel.  Especially children.  Oh my goodness, I bawl at recitals, plays, speeches, concerts, games, awards-anything where a kid is putting himself out there, trying to find is or her way in their little life meanwhile making our environment just a little bit better for it.  Even if its not my kid or a kid I have never seen before!! I can't tell you how many times I pretend to know whomever just sang or acted or spoke to cover up my emotional belligerence.  Ok, not belligerence-basket case?? haha.

This striking dance sadly came to an end as most good things must.  Just as I was yelling at myself on the inside to pull it together and wondering if anyone else reacted this way or am I having a sensitive day (er, life), the camera panned the audience and judging table.  There was CarrieAnn with her expression retracting from her full-on cry face while she swiped at the tears.  Several audience members wore streaks on their cheeks also.  Yes!  I had crying cohorts.  I could boldly profess, "Kellie, you literally moved me to tears."

Anyway, that was the start to my day.  And now, after fessing up, I feel so much relief.   I can strip off my crimson cloak of embarrassment. I refuse to be a closet crier any longer, embracing my weepy sentimental bleeding heart hereby unleashing it to 'carry on' for the greater good of mankind to see- It's ok to cry.  Especially for the little things.  So the next time you feel the rush of a good cry coming on, whip out that handkerchief, let your watery eyes sparkle, your tear-glistening cheeks puff with a smile, hold your red nose high and let out your inner cry.  With a touch of encouragement, it just may become contagious.  There are worse thing that could be spread around than a joyful cry.

Thanks for spending time with me, now 'carry on.'

***

I am a fashion rebel with a cause. To break from the grip of the ancient fashion faux-pas for wearing white before Memorial Day.  I had a literature professor who used to ask us if we would go for a cup of coffee with certain authors.  Well I would like to go for a lemonade, (or would that be gauche because its a summertime drink and we are only in spring), with the author of this fashion rule and pick his or her brain for the logic behind this one.  Once warmer spring arrives, why not white? By then aren't we more than ready for lighter fresher colors and clothing?  For me, this is still a hard one to get past since it was so strongly engrained.  But I am bucking the system and posting a white skirt before Memorial Day.  Take that fashion faux-pas decider.

Buttoned..

 And unbuttoned..

 Skirt: JCP, Blouse: Liz JCP, Belt: Ann Taylor, Jacket: Kohls, Shoes: Stuart Weitzman hand-me-downs from my awesome sister.

Sending a Big Birthday Group Hug!

Dedicate to my mother, whom always has a smile on her face and a box of donuts in her arms for the kids.

 

  Sorry this is so late in the day Mom, I had to wait until they all got home to send you this special post...

 

TAKE 1

 

 

 

TAKE 2

AND TAKE 3 IS THE CHARM

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA--WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!

 

LOVE, SHARLETTE, JAKOB AND LILA

 

AND ME AND ALAN TOO!! 

 

 

Here Comes the Sun

You may want to put your sunglasses on for this post, haha, but for real.

I ordered this cardigan on final clearance from JCFactory.  It appeared online as a rich yellow, but when I opened the package, my pupils dilated to pencil points!

Being that yellow is my second favorite color preceded by red, I could not hurt its happy yellow feelings by stashing it under a heap of barely-wears, nor could I return it even if I wanted to (which I did not).  It was fierce inside, but when I stepped out into the sun it was like something nuclear.  I will be gracious and only put the indoor photos here.

Ready??

I am wearing the sun.

I will give your eyes a minute to adjust so you can continue...

It was even messing with the camera's light sensory.  I think my poor Canon was trying to squint.  The autofocus wasn't focusing properly as the glow competed against the natural lighting.  It won.  I could not get consistent photos, and the true boldness isn't quite coming through.  It was the neon mama of neons.

It wasn't called neon on the site.  It was called Retro Lemon-nothing to indicate fluorescence.  The first funniest thing is, it sold out!  So there are some fellow yellow sympathizers out there I can befriend.  The second funniest thing is, I ordered this color in a pullover, too.  Just when the extreme exposure flashes fade from your eyes, I will post that one!  Just kidding.

Cardigan:  JCFactory, Dress: Lands End, Belt:  Talbots, Shoes:  Lands End 

We had a surprise 60th birthday to attend, I was the "light" of the party in this.  After the initial shock, I came to absolutely love it.  I washed it thinking it may fade, but being that trusty JC quality, it did not.  And I am glad!

These are the little treats I made for the party.  Hey, I had to redeem myself for scorching everyone's retinas. 

 Aren't they so cute and friendly?  I will get a tutorial posted next time.  These are a butter cake with vanilla buttercream frosting mini cupcakes.  All from scratch, but e-a-s-y.

Pretty Delicious and Variations on a Gray Theme pt 2a

Immediately the color and the tag line grabbed my attention (good marketing).  A major smoothie lover, I am always on the lookout for a new recipe.  So when I turned the page of my magazine, this snazzy little temptress practically jumped into my blender.

I modified the ingredients a smidge as far as the fruit goes, well ok, completely changed the fruit, but kept the base yogurt and spinach.  The original in Fitness Magazine was fresh or frozen mango, lime juice, grapes, and avocado.  I didn't have half the stuff on hand so I cut it out:

1 container strawberry Greek yogurt
5 large fresh strawberries,
splash of o.j.
2 cups spinach

I'm listing these just in case you want to have at it.

Here is my version of the Green Glory:

Bottoms Up 

Isn't it quite the tantalizing concoction <gag> in all its vitamin and mineral beauty <gag, choke>?  Pretty and Delicious are not the first two words that come to mind.  I added the ice cubes in an attempt to improve the swallowability of it.  My first mouthful kind of lingered at the border of my throat as it had instinctively erected a No Trespassing barricade.  Pretty Delicious was denied access until I sweet talked it on through.

It took some effort to calm the gag reflex as each sip went down.  I decided chugging would end the assault more quickly, but I had to not breath or think or look.  And here it is, several minutes after thinking happy thoughts and turning off my olfactory, taste and esophagus senses. I actually got used to it.  It sort of grew on me like a skin tag-not so attractive but tolerable.  How did I go so wrong??

All in all, I would not recreate this again.  However, after evaluating the colossal health benefits once ingested, (and falling prey to the virtually subliminal upper corner caption 'eat/good for you'- or maybe it was a warning!) I'd say this was, in the end, from a nutritional standpoint, Pretty Delicious.

***

I left these out of yesterday's grays post, so figured I would sneak it in today.
Bright Pink and Leopard:

Skirt: JCP, Blouse: BR Factory, Belt: Ann Taylor, Shoes: Zulily

Spring Green, Neon Pink and White:

Skirt: Target, Sweater: Talbots, Jacket: Kohls, Belt: JCFactory, Shoes: Macy's

Variations on a Gray Theme pt 1

A long, long time ago, I worked at a music box store.  We had each music chamber labelled according to the song title and often had to abbreviate them so they would fit on this teeny tag.  One of my favorites was a classical tune called Variations on a Theme (which I never knew the name of until I worked there).  On the tag we wrote, "Var on a The," because that's all the space we had.  Enough to identify it.

There was a girl who worked with us and she was a real sweetheart, kind, mild and pretty-but a bit of a ditsy print.  A couple came in to pick out a song and a box for wedding party gifts, and she ran to assist them.  The next thing I hear is her saying, "well, let's see, we have this nice one called...ummm.. uh...var on a the."  I tried so hard to keep my composure, I really really did, but whaaaat? The customers stared at her with blank awkwardness.  I mean they were confused as to whether or not they should be confused.  After all, isn't it completely declasse not to be a classical tunes connoisseur in a specialty store?  Or at least carry a flush of embarrassment as one remains poised as a banana while backwardly admitting one's lack of astuteness, "Pardon me, I'm not familiar with 'var on a the,' and whom would be the composer of it?"

Then they zoomed in on the tag to see what was written and didn't say a word.  These people just wanted a classy song screwed into a classy keepsake to express their gratitude for friends and family in a classy way on their special day.  Instead, they got pink cheeks and a lesson in how to ask if you're unsure before you assume.  We all know what happens with that.  And it did.

Now didn't this put me in a precarious predicament.  Wanting to save face for everyone, but not wanting to "out" anyone, I didn't know if I should throw them the life-preserver of the real title or mind my own sales business.  I felt for myself splashing in a puddle of embarrassment.  I felt for them, watching them try to figure out if they were the ones out of the know.  I also felt for my poor coworker who just stood there smiling, clueless, innocently awaiting their decision:  Is var on a the to be or not to be?  I finally chimed in with a nonchalant, "I think the full title of that is Variations on a Theme," so as not to mortify my coworker but alleviate the growing discomfort of all present.  And var on a the was to be. But in it's proper stating.  I got to be the unsung hero and save the  gift-giving day.  I prefer to think I took no pause in preventing the humiliating outbreak of a whole bunch of  little var on a the's  from running rampant around rehearsal dinner like a bad bride rumor.  Even if no one ever knew the song to begin with.  Like regular me.  And my consoled coworker.  And the highly satisfied customers whom could now claim themselves privy to classical music knowledge such as the correct pronunciation of a piece: "Why, yes, Victoria Pendleton, that would be 'Variations on a Theme,' you know, of course you know...by Johannes Brahms?"

***

As promised, I have a few ensembles grounded with gray to show you.  I decided to present them seasonally, as that is most practical.  That way I do not bombard you with gray and you can actually remember what you saw rather than have gray overkill and forget half the minute you click away.  First up Spring:

 Celery green and teal-my shoes buried in the grass there are teal pointy toe pumps-

Skirt: Ann Taylor Factory, Blouse: Lands End, Scarf: Talbots, Shoes: JCPenney

Next:

Baby blue and silver

Skirt: Macy's, Cardigan: Talbots, Tank: Talbots, Shoes, TJMaxx

Outfit 3:

Orchid and Purple

Skirt: Macy's, Cardigan: Talbots, Tank: Talbots, Scarf: thrifted, Shoes: DSW