Sign of the Times

It's been a hell of a week - tons of homework that has had me up until the wee hours of the morning and choice signs from the universe that I'm not the kid I used to be, despite the glue that I can't get off my hands from hours spent gluing school projects.

Two things happened to me last week that are particularly telling. One, being that after sucking it up and deciding to spend the money on highlighting my hair (it had been nine months of nothing) my stylist informed me that I have a gray hair. A GRAY HAIR. It's kind of a big deal when you're in your twenties and it's almost the last thing you expect to sneak up on you. Being broke, fine. Career dilemmas, sure. But a gray hair? Never saw it coming.

Then, to add insult to injury. I have somehow been selected for the mailing list of this catalogue:

That's right. I guess my purchase history has somehow led me to this place where I receive tall girl magazines for 40-year-olds. Long Tall Sally. Even the name is demeaning. Maybe if the catalogue was decent, I wouldn't be so non-plussed, but the the styling is terrible and although they claim to carry good brands, it sure doesn't look it. Nothing is marked as such in the pages, it's just frump after frump. It's not good.

And neither is the gray hair.

Do you buy this?

118 lbs & 5'9"?

In one of those internet searches that quickly gets off topic, I ran across this list of reported celebrity heights and weights. I know the camera adds 10 pounds and all that jazz, but it seems like if some of these women actually weighed what this list says, there would be public outcry. Some of the more startling weights are Gisele Bundchen, Katie Holmes and Taylor Swift. I just plain don't believe Naomi Campbell's. Am I crazy? I'm tall and I know that these weights would be positively scary on me.

Actresses
Blake Lively, 5'9", 123 lbs.
Calista Flockhart, 5'6", 97 lbs.
Cameron Diaz, 5'9", 120 lbs.
Cate Blanchett, 5'8", 120 lbs.
Catherine Zeta Jones, 5'8", 130 lbs.
Drew Barrymore, 5'4", 125 lbs.
Eva Longoria, 5'2", 104 lbs.
Gwyneth Paltrow, 5'9", 112 lbs.
Hillary Duff, 5'1", 105 lbs
Jennifer Aniston, 5'6", 110 lbs.
Jessica Alba, 5'7", 118 lbs.
Jessica Biel, 5'8", 110 lbs.
Julia Roberts, 5'10", 125 lbs.
Kate Beckinsdale, 5'8", 115 lbs.
Kate Hudson, 5'6", 115 lbs.
Katie Holmes, 5'9", 118 lbs.
Kirsten Dunst, 5'4", 100 lbs.
Lindsay Lohan, 5'5", 105 lbs.
Meghan Fox, 5'6", 114 lbs.
Miley Cyrus, 5'4", 104 lbs.
Nicole Kidman, 5'10", 120 lbs.
Nicole Richie, 5'1", 98 lbs
Pam Anderson, 5'7", 105 lbs.
Paris Hilton, 5'9", 110 lbs.
Penelope Cruz, 5'6", 109 lbs.
Reese Witherspoon, 5'6", 122 lbs.
Salma Hayek, 5'2", 115 lbs.
Sandra Bullock, 5'8", 110 lbs.
Scarlett Johansson, 5'4", 115 lbs.

Models
Adriana Lima, 5'10", 112 lbs.
Gisele Bundchen, 5'11", 115 lbs.
Heidi Klum, 5'9", 120 lbs.
Kate Moss, 5'7", 105 lbs.
Naomi Campbell, 5'10", 110 lbs.

Musicians
Beyonce Knowles, 5'5", 130 lbs.
Britney Spears, 5'5", 105 lbs.
Carrie Underwood, 5'3", 110 lbs.
Christina Aguilera, 5'2", 100 lbs.
Faith Hill, 5'8", 120 lbs.
Fergie, 5'2", 105 lbs.
Gwen Stefani, 5'6", 115 lbs.
Jennifer Lopez, 5'6", 125 lbs.
Jessica Simpson, 5'2", 120 lbs.
Madonna, 5'4", 100 lbs.
Mariah Carey, 5'9", 140 lbs.
Shakira, 5'2", 105 lbs.
Taylor Swift, 5'10", 120 lbs.

If you are in Seattle...

Tomorrow night (Nov. 6th), think about spending your evening at Benaroya Hall.

I'm happy to say that I'm lucky enough to go to a wonderful night of awesome music every year that benefits uncompensated care at Children's Hospital.

I know there are a lot of things pulling on heartstrings right now, and I'm not ashamed to use music and celebrity names to win yours over. Tomorrow, DJ Cut Chemist (best known for founding Jurassic 5), Mateo Messina and the Northwest Symphony Orchestra (all 280 members), 4 different choirs (and many more artists) are collaborating for an awesome night.

Every year's concert has a different theme, and this year, the kids were asked what special powers they would like to have if they were a superhero. The theme this year explores our fascination with superheros, and obviously, that hospital is full of real-life heros. (Even better, the kids made their own costumes to fully demonstrate their powers).

What's makes this night even cooler is that Mateo is a Seattle native who composes the symphony every year, and being that he is all Hollywood connected (just check out the original score to Juno), he gets his friends to come up and collaborate with him for the event. One year, Alice in Chains with the symphony, no joke (click to see the video).

Tomorrow is sure to be awesome. For more information, check out the Guild's site. And here's a little preview of one of the pieces Messina wrote for the event tomorrow, click here.

Let's all hold our breath

I might have finally found a flat black boot to wear this winter. Right now, the odds on favorites are two unexpected players.

In one corner we have the Aigle of France "Start Riding Boot." It's a little unconventional because it's not leather, but hot damn, it looks good. And more importantly, it's an awesome brand known for quality, it's got a slim calf and it's super tall. AND I found them on sale for $103 bucks. I'll be trying them on tomorrow.

In the other corner, we have another unexpected competitor, an honest-to-god riding boot, straight from VictoryCanter.com.

I don't know why I never thought to look for the real McCoy, rather than the department store impostors? Every season, I strike out on finding boots for TWO REASONS. One being that I have a very skinny, Olive Oil calf. Two, is that I also have crazy-to-control legs. Long yes, but possessed I promise. SO, this leaves me with boots only coming up to mid-calf when they should be longer or swimming in boots made for normal-calved people.

But not so with real riding boots. Super long and FOUR different calf sizes. It's unheard of! Also, did I mention the price? $154 dollars. Try finding that at Nordstrom's.

Boo. Yah. (That is to say, if they fit, because thanks to the U.S. postal service, I won't be trying them on for 5-10 business days).

On to another holiday

Christmas.

I know it's early, but you have to get on this stuff, otherwise it's just no fun. And I have to admit that I loved this post so much from my buddy WithStyle that I'm sharing/stealing the love.

I prefer personalized gifts. Usually, I try to make a list of the people I need to give to and then try to do something custom. Last year I gave personalized notepads that were affordable and showed the care that it takes to pre-plan a gift. No "Oh yeeeaaah, here is a present for you," while rustling around in their purse, only to retrieve a nail polish and roll of certs as your present. Hate that.

This year, I'm loving the idea of these little boxes of cupcake mix. It would be so easy to go to Packaging Specialties and do it yourself too, but honestly, I don't know that the price can be beat on these bad boys from Vintage Bake Shop - 6 bucks for everything and the custom label. All you need to supply is the ribbon of your choice.

New Years - So chic

I'm surprising myself, but I love the pink on this. It would be great for a birthday party or a shower favor. Love it.