Random Observations and Hard Truths

Either I dress like a seventeen year-old boy, or there's a kid at the mall who dresses like a 32 year-old woman. In either case, it made for an awkward moment outside of Hollister last night.

Why do the owners on Bar Rescue get so bent out of shape over Taffert changing the name or redesigning the interior? He does that on every episode. Did they not watch the show before signing up? I could understand the first couple of seasons, but it's been on for a while now.

In my town, there is a cupcake shop next to a gym, and a Baskin Robbins next to a Weight Watchers. There's a special place in Hell for those sweet shoppe owners.

Pineapple-Banana smoothies and Pinterest-inspired single-serve salads are awesome. They make a fantastic lunch, and I feel so much healthier for eating that today. It was even better when followed by a Cadbury Caramel Egg.

I should consider joining that gym next to the cupcake shop.

Facebook is a complete and total productivity-sucker. That said, if I ever stopped scrolling through it, I might miss gems like this:

Photo Credit: Facebook (The Walking Dead Memes, via Rosemary Martin)
I laughed for about a minute.

The other day at Target, I saw two really cute belted dresses that I considered trying on...until I realized they were in the maternity section. Why are there belted dresses in the maternity section?

I really want a red velvet cupcake. Darn you, cupcake shop!

It costs as much today to go to a matinee flick as it did for my first date to take me to a nighttime showing. Thank God for Netflix.

A couple of weeks ago, I had to explain to my brother what life was like before the Internet. Ouch.

One of my brother's friends had never seen a rotary phone until he saw my mother's decorative princess phone. He asked how to text on it...and was serious. Double ouch.

Walgreen's only had 100+ sunscreen when I ran out of what I had and needed to buy another tube. I think I'm getting paler.

Thomas and I are buying a house, finishing a movie, preparing for a festival, and working our regular jobs. Whoever invented the frozen margarita in a bag, I salute you.

Chalk One Up For DIY Hair Color

This is brilliant.

My friend, Genna, sent this to me, and I am dying to try it out. Have you ever had something really cool to go to, like a concert or party, and wanted to try some funky colors in your hair? Well, you could try to track down some faux pieces, or (gawdluvya) ACTUALLY dye your own hair...or you could try chalking.


Photo Credit: kandeej.com

Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like. You use chalk to color your hair. Basically, you spray your hair with water, then rub non-oil-based chalk onto the strands. Set the color with a curling iron or flat iron. The color will wash out the next time you shampoo. Again, I haven't tried this, but if anyone has and wants to share pictures or experiences, let me know in the comments.

Also....

WHILE I WAS OUT

Okay, so I haven't really gone anywhere. Still...I'm never really all here...

My latest blog post is up at Paranormal Pop Culture. If you've ever been curious about the Jersey Devil or indie filmmaking, check it out. It's fun. :)

I've been a big fan of Neutrogena makeup remover wipes for some time now. However, I've recently switched to Olay Total Effects wipes. Look for a review sometime in the near future. Also, I'm still on the hunt for one more Real Techniques brush, then I can review the set. Unfortunately, we only have one Ulta in town, and I don't feel like paying shipping for one. flipping. brush.

Lastly, I received some promo codes from the Mints (JewelMint, ShoeMint, etc). If you are looking to join any of those groups--note: this is for first-time purchases only--leave me a message in the comments. I may be able to hook you up with a discount. Of course, this is while supplies last, only.

Barbie's Dream Wedding Album

Between singing for weddings, attending weddings, having photographer friends, wearing the old bridesmaid dress, and also having had my own Big Fat Catholic Wedding, I've seen and/or posed for plenty of wedding photos, and I've noticed that there are always some key stock poses scattered throughout the sets. It's inevitable. See, even though every couple is different, most weddings aren't. Sure, the venues and themes change, but I think we can agree that you're more than likely going to have the kiss, the cake (or dessert of some sort. I hear pie is coming into fashion), the first dance, the bouquet toss, and the couple's exit. According to Rock n Roll Bride,

"There are certain photo set-ups that you see all over wedding photography (the shoe shot, the dress shot, the bridal portraits just after she’s got ready, the groom getting ready with his boys etc…)"  

You know, key ingredients. Hence the key stock poses. This is not a lack of creativity on anyone's part. It's just documentation. Can you name one bride who wouldn't be completely miffed not to have a picture of herself in her wedding gown, or with her new husband in those first few minutes of marital bliss? 

Of course, good photogs know how to spice things up with personalized shots based on the couple's tastes and personalities, and the wedding's location, theme, etc. Really good ones can even grab those sparkling candids that become so precious to us. I have a couple of fantastic shots of the bouquet toss, when some kidlets ran in and snapped up the flowers before any of the single ladies knew what hit them. I also know that somewhere, floating around, there's an awesome shot of just my heels coming out from underneath a friend's bridal gown, when I had to crawl under her skirt to adjust her inner lacings. It's probably, like my photos, wedged between a photo of the pearls on her veil, and one with the bridesmaids holding out their bouquets. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

French photographer Beatrice de Guigne understands the situation, and decided to have a little fun with one of her couples: Barbie and Ken. Really. In this, believe it or not, beautifully shot album, the photographer explores all those stock poses we've come to expect, and shows us why they're so loved. It's witty, artful, and surprisingly sweet. See below for a taste. More photos are available at Glamour.com (or click the above link). 

Photo Credit (All): Glamour