today's inspiration

Listen. I know she's kind of crazy and out there, and maybe she's even a teensy bit gross, but I tell you, Katy Perry has a new big fan:

Me.

I'm obsessed with her eye lashes and lipstick and retro.

She also has fantastic hair and I'd be lying if she isn't partially to blame for my interest in having black, cool hair.I'm not kidding. Gimme that hair.

Incidentally, she also has a rad voice and sings songs that make me feel like, "I could do that too." Baby, I AM a firework for realsies.

Katy, thanks for being my style/thin inspiration today. I'm totally going to take a page out of your book. Let's be best friends and borrow each others' headbands.

christmas wrap up

It's kind of too bad that there are so few people in my life who really, truly appreciate the fact that Taco Bell isn't so much a "staple" in life so much as it is a "food group."

But for real.

In other news, I've re-reapplied myself in this weight loss thing. Like, Wii Fit is great, and Michael Jackson The Experience will certainly be a fun addition, but as much as I've reapplied myself for months, I'm serious this time. Like how I was serious in May serious. This is happening.

I need that Esther Williams bathing suit for springtime like whoa.

And maybe also this dress.

130 in 24, everybody.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY: we rescued a cat for Christmas! His name is Trevor and he's the darlingest thing in the world.

Can all you people who know me at all even believe that I, the most self-proclaimed dog lover in the world, have fallen in love with a cat? WELL BELIEVE IT. He's the most precious-- he was stuck in that cage for like six months and we just had to save him. So we did. He's from the same adoption shelter that my parents' dog Sprout came from. He's just a cat! Just a sweet, unassuming cat with eyes like Puss in Boots. Am I right?

Long story short, he can't live with us till we move in a few weeks, but we wait with anxious anticipation.

Also tonight is the 2-year anniversary of my first "date" with Ames. Of course, I also had two other, simultaneous dates that night... but we're going back to Tuchanos tonight to celebrate anyway. Why has the last two years felt like seven hundred? I love it.

I can't imagine a better way to spend 2011 (aka Year 3) than losing 20 more lbs and snuggling up to a cat in an apartment with no noise from upstairs.

Did you all have a nice Christmas?

prabbles

Guys, I literally have never had more papercuts all over my hands than I have right now. There's one right on the very pad of my left ring finger that's particularly irritating since I have to use it to type. Bandaids everywhere, not to mention my nicely bruised right middle finger that I smashed while (defeatedly) trying to move a couch the other day.

If I were a Victorian lady, people would judge me.

I've got news:

1. I started the new gig. So far so good. Still learning the ropes, but I'm pleased with what I've been able to learn in two days. More than anything it's a matter of getting myself and all the materials organized because it's as if everything went KABOOM! and here I am to make sense of it. Everyone in the office is really nice and helpful, though. Aside from the papercuts, and the fact that I go home exhausted from learning, it's going smoothly. I'm happy. Good choice.

2. I've been cast in a play. More specifically, I've been cast in the ensemble of A Tale of Two Cities at HCTWV. Ames will be playing Cruncher. We've got all kinds of friendlies in the cast with us, but more than anything I'm thrilled to be taking a step forward. There were literally hundreds of people who auditioned, and it looks like there will be about a dozen or so women in the cast-- I am so so lucky.

3. Wii Fit Plus is the greatest invention of all time. We got a Wii for Christmas and were forced literally FORCED to open it early! I've had my eye on a Wii for a real long time because I've always known that if I could play video games that would trick me into exercising, I'd be must more successful about losing weight-- especially since I've totally plateaued. Anyway, if you didn't know, it turns out that I'm a secret Rhythm Boxing chamption. Also, I a Snowball Pro. If you have a Wii consol but are among those who haven't got a Wii Fit yet, I highly recommend it. I love tracking my progress and shaving off a few extra oz every workout. Just you watch-- I'm going to be 135 lbs before this show opens. IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

4. I'm joining the ranks of crafters at Etsy. Shortly I'll be debuting PRIBBLES & PRABBLES: THE STORE at Etsy to try my hand at selling some of these crochet things I've been yarning. I have compliments all the time on my headbands, particularly the ear-warming kind, so I figure I'll see if I can at least keep this habit self-funded, right? Looking forward to that, hopefully sometime over Christmas break.

What's new in your lives?

CORRECTION

The vague comment about prospects in my post yesterday seems to have caused some confusion.

I am not pregnant.

I am starting a new job on Thursday.

It's all very sudden and whirl-windy and someday I'll post all about it, but lest our imaginations get carried away with us, I wanted to set the record straight.

I'm looking at you, Kyle and Angela.

emily's favorite things

There are some things happening in life that are almost ready to be revealed but I don't think it's 100% professionally responsible for me to say it yet. Cryptic, eh? That'll keep you coming back for more, eh? Suffice it to say, life is unpredictable and interesting and I'm excited by prospects.

But anyway, the point of this is that E! and the Style channel haven't been able to get enough lately of showing clips from Oprah's recent Ultimate Favorite Things episode. I mean, I guess if I happened to be in the audience to be the recipient of things like glittery Ugg boots, embellished tunics, iPads and chicken pot pies, I might have had a come-apart too. And this wasn't just Oprah's Favorite Things, it was her Ultimate Favorite Things, meaning more favorite than all other Favorite Things. Big difference.

In honor of Oprah, the recent passing of Black Friday (which went basically uncelebrated by the Bells-- we're just not that materialistic, guys! [joke]), and now that we're well into embracing our American right to consumerism, I'd like to share some of my Favorite Things for the season.

Note: this is in no way a giveaway. I don't even have the kind of cash to get this stuff for myself. But if you happen to know any financially generous folks who'd like to giveaway these Things to me...

Emily's Ultimate Favorite Things 2010

OMG YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11!!!!!!1!!

Number 1-- Crouching Tiger dress at shabbyapple.com
This is possibly the most perfect dress in existence, second only to the other dress at Shabby Apple which ran out of my size before I was able to order it. Shabby Apple tends to be a bit pricy, so I've been hesitent to buy anything before reaching my Goal Weight. Some may call this silly (because I could have the dress in the meantime or whatever), I call it smart. Either way, this dress is a Must Have Someday (Soon).

Number Two-- Toggled Coat from Target
This coat also comes in mustard yellow, though I figure I have enough mustard colored accessories that I might over-do mustard with a mustard coat. This coat is super coze, only $49. Target always manages to provide some pretty gemmy gems (I have four Target coats and jackets in varying styles)-- not disappointed by this.

Number Three-- Anna Sui Flight perfume at urbanoutfitters
Guys, this is the most lush perfume I've ever smelled in my whole life. I'm not usually big into really aromatic perfumes-- I tend to prefer subtle, fresh smells-- but this is just gorgeous. My friend Emily bought it a few months ago and it's been on the top of my Wish List ever since. Also there's a peacock on the cap of the bottle.

Number Four-- Michael Jackson: The Experience for Wii
I'm sorry, say what you want about the man himself, this looks like the funnest game ever. And it comes complete with a glittery silver glove (only don't wear it while playing-- my guess is Nintendo is trying to avoid a lawsuit involving some fan wearing the glove and the Wii controller slipping out of their hand and flying across the room into an heirloom vase).

Number Five-- Captain Planet "Wind" ring from captainplanet.me
This is real, guys. You can get your own Captain Planet collector's edition replica ring to represent your favorite element and/or character! A $20 "donation to the Planeteer movement" is all it takes. I'm kind of obsessed with them. I think I'd pick Cyan (Wind) because it's the prettiest ring and I always thought Linka was so pretty, but I dig Red (Heart) too because I want all animals to love me. INTERESTING FACT: did you know a surprisingly long list of Hollywood celebrities were voices on Captain Planet? Aside from the obvious Whoopi Goldberg (Gaia) and LeVar Burton (Kwame), the show also showcased the talents of Ed Asner, Tim Curry, Jeff Goldblum, John Ratzenberger, Meg Ryan, Martin Sheen, and Sting, among others. Now you know!

Number Six-- Sharpie Pens
These are seriously the greatest things to happen to me since the Bic Velocity Gel Rollerball Comfort Grip with Retractable 0.7mm Tip. Seriously. Precision and weight of a Sharpie with ink that doesn't bleed through the page! Brilliance.

Number Seven-- Baked Lay's potato chips (any flavor)
God's gift to potato chip lovers who are trying to watch their waistlines. That's all.

Number Eight-- Yarn by Stitch Nation
If you are obsessed with yarn (I am) or are looking for yarn to get you hooked into a yarn-related project (I always am), THIS YARN IS THE GREATEST.

Number Nine-- Horn rimmed glasses by Lucky Brand
In reality, these are at the top of my Need-Slightly-More-Than-Just-Want list. I've been jonesing for glasses of a similar style for a long while, and recently my eyes are in hate with contact lenses but my current pair of glasses are very heavy on my face. Ta da! Perfect solution.

Number Ten-- Home Offices
If I had the time/space/money to create something like this to work in, I'd get every degree that was ever invented for college. And also become a research assistant and sit at home reading and studying instead of watching TV (except for ANTM, etc). Really, though. This office. I should stop watching HGTV because it makes rooms like this more of a reality than they should be considering we rent our place and have carpets and aren't allowed to paint the walls.


What are your Favorite Things?

PS

I had this big ol' blog entry ready to post, and all of a sudden it just seemed futile. So, to sum up:

1. Fact: Not all theater is good theater, no matter how hard you worked.

2. Audience members are the ones experiencing the theater, good or bad, and are prime candidates to give unbiased feedback.

3. It should not be assumed an audience member is uninformed or uneducated if said audience member has the guts to critique bad theater.

4. Defensive and snarky responses to the critique of any theater does not encourage discussion.

5. Defensive and snarky responses actually imply small-mindedness.

6. If said "uninformed or uneducated" audience member is brave enough to sign their name to their opinions, so should be anyone who makes a public response, whether defensive or supportive.


And with that said, however futilely, blog readers may now anticipate the forthcoming Emily's Favorite Things.

i want to be like

Today's inspiration is:

Kelly Osbourne.

Please take a moment to appreciate how stunning she is.

I mean, I've been a fan since the days of pink hair and The Osbournes and "Papa Don't Preach."
She's always seemed like someone I could be friends with. Is that creepy and stalkery of me? Probably a little. Also, wishful thinking.

But is she not the most adorable?
Get it, Kelly. Someday I'll be skinny like you.

PS. Be my best friend.

two steps back

Guys.

I've been really good about controlling what I eat, right? And I've been really good about controlling when I eat it, right?

9:38PM tonight-- the witching hour.

All I want in the entire world is a burrito.

Until 9:37PM I was just crocheting my yarn, watching my stories, feeling awesome and in control.

But then I'm like NOM NOM NOM.
Weight-loss be damned. I'm eating a freakin' burrito.

happy wednesday

I had a board meeting today, which means I actually dressed up for work a smidge, but I'm wearing bright blue tights the color of Avatar. Also the weather has been gorgeous today. Thus,

~*~*~*happy wednesday*~*~*~

Prince William is engaged to Kate Middleton, everybody! Say it with me: FINALLY! For those of us all over the world who obsess over British royals because we don't have any royals of our own to love/hate, we can spend the next approximately eight months pouring over articles at
people.com about "Who Should Design Kate's Dress?" and drooling over Diana's sapphire engagement ring. Marrying a prince means marrying the jewels. Bling!
I'm really inspired to crochet myself something along the lines ofjust in time for winter. Sadly, kitten not included :(

America's Next Top Model tonight. Top 4. Tyra shooting a 2-minute video. Does Chelsey drive everyone crazy as much as she drives me crazy? I'm pulling for Jane right now, but I also like Kayla and poor awkward Anne. WHO WILL BE ELIMINATED TONIGHT??

Once I had this pair of cranberry-colored knit boots that were so much my favorite that I wore them when we took our engagement pictures. Then they got really stinky and I had to throw them out for the sake of anyone within 15 feet of me. This week I replaced them, and though they are not cranberry-colored, I've had compliments left and right (which is weird, because I wasn't under the impression that knit boots are at all ground-breaking, but I guess I just rock them now that my legs are skinny?) Totes comfy.

Thanksgiving is next week, which not only means time off from work and a lot of food (and a lot of cheese), it means Christmas is almost here, giving me every excuse to get Christmas-scented candles (you know the kind I mean), and rearrange my house to fit a Christmas tree, and wallow in slowly falling snow. In the meantime, I wish I had any excuse to create this on my wall.
Then there are these dogs we want but can't have in our current apartment but still make me so happy to look at and think about having one day. The anticipation is enormously rewarding in the meantime.
This pizza.


Hope everyone is having a happy Wednesday!

just breathe

This morning, all the snark has been sucked out of me.

I've noticed there's a certain quiet dignity when you actually take control of your eating habits. Exercising is hard for me. I don't like it, I don't like making time for it. Now that I'm on the downhill slope on my way to goal weight, I've simply stopped eating so much. I'm not overeating. I haven't been eating high-calorie foods. I've been drinking a lot of water. Ground breaking, isn't it? I've felt less wild this week, less prone to extreme emotions, less out of control.

That said, I consciously had two pieces of pizza for breakfast this morning and it was so delicious.

Twitter and I are also taking a break in our relationship. I shut off the text alert option, which decreased the number of texts I received yesterday substantially. And I didn't even notice. Apparently Twitter and I have grown overly fond of each other and I'm welcoming a vacation. We'll see if I ever return to text alerts because this has been nice.

In general I'm a little sensitive about being quite so available all the time. I'm really sorry to everyone who's received a slow text-response. I'm really sorry to anyone who's left me a voicemail in the last five days that I still haven't heard. I've really liked feeling a little less JUMP-TO! and a little more in-a-second-k? The world doesn't collapse if I don't JUMP-TO! The world continues to turn. And it's easier to breathe, if you can believe it.

I woke up late this morning, in our bed with the flannel sheets. Of course, I woke up to the sound of upstairs-neighbors physically wrestling their children to get ready for school, which wasn't the most peaceful alarm I've ever heard, but I woke up a little late and then pulled on my favorite pants, which are now too big around my (finally) 29" waist. I'm wearing a mustard-colored headband that I crocheted with a bow on it and I have new knit boots with buttons to replace the ones I had to throw away last year because they were stinky. And even though I walked into work prepared to be defensive, as I always do, there is sun actually shining through my office window and it's all over my desk, warming my hands and my back. It almost feels like I might be here today for the rest of my life, but I'm not willing to fight about it. I like this feeling of tranquility. I like feeling neutral. I like feeling in control.

Things will work out. I might go back to school. I might be poor for a real long time. I might not get a fancy phone or a new camera or be able to afford clothes from my favorite store, and I may not feel fulfilled for a while. But I'm pretty good at a few things, and I'm a pretty interesting person, and I have the sweetest boy in the world for a husband, so that's pretty okay.

This morning feels like a pretty good step in the right direction.

fashion validation

Lauren Conrad was featured on People's Star Tracks today while filming for her new reality TV series. Please note her dress.

Does it look familiar?I bet LC is one of my anonymous blog followers and that's where she was inspired to get the same dress.

In other news, I lost 2.2 lbs this week and I'm a measly 4oz away from saying good-bye to these pesky 150's.

All of this clearly means I need to go hunt for more fantastic/affordable clothing so I can have matching wardrobes with other reality tv stars.

pants contention

Today is one of those days where I woke up and just didn't want to wear pants.

I don't mean I didn't want to wear anything at all. I just didn't (don't) feel like shimmying into and wearing pants.



What?



Don't you ever have those days where you don't want to wear pants? Or normal clothes of any kind? And it might be because you FAILed at weight watchers this week, or at least you just feel like you did?

Don't pretend like you don't know what I mean.

And I've been thinking about this idea where I'm going to turn the back room of our house into an office library and the best part of it will be: PANTS OPTIONAL. And we can have big piles of blankets to snuggle under and use to march around the house instead of actually wearing pants.

I know I could be wearing a skirt, but I wore a skirt three times this week and I don't want to wear a skirt because it's cold, which means I'd have to wear tights, which are tighter than pants, and my whole point is: I don't want to wear pants today.

There are things things called Baby Legs that I wish they'd make for people my size. Overgrown legwarmers that go all the way up your thigh? Don't mind if I do!
Seriously though. Don't mind if I do.

happy wednesday

You know, sometimes you just have a bad day. And it isn't rotten, and it isn't horrible, and the sun is actually shining through the clouds at the end of the day, but it was still a bad day.

And you probably haven't eaten enough but have no appetite to eat which is at least nice for the scale because you've overeaten all week, and you don't feel like watching TV all night even though that's what you'll end up doing, and you didn't get to kiss your husband enough because timing was just bad during the bad day, even though he was the nicest and brought you a big 44 oz-er. And you have to go to the bathroom, and the voicemail light is blinking, and you still have an hour left before you can go home, and you should probably march across campus to deliver that memo, and you live in an apartment where all you want is the puppy you're not allowed to have, and the only thing you can think about is the back room that's full of stuff and you can't find motivation to put it away--

It's all a little easier when you just focus on happy.

i want to tell you about my sister and that she was born

This is a post to celebrate the existence of my only little sister, Elizabeth Helen. Today is her birthday, and she is 21, which means she's an actual adult, which means no one can give her crap about anything or being too young. Welcome to the club, little one.

I only call her "little one" because she's just a little bitty thing.

She didn't really want to be born when she was born. I bet our mom has some cool stories about how she was in labor for 26 hours. I think that's because Bizzy probably really wanted all the numbers to match, since she was born on October 26. She's organized that way and maybe inherited a touch of OCD. She started early.

I don't know if I really wanted her to be born either. I mean, I got the cool I'm the Big Sister shirts and whatever, and I was super pumped to give her that rattle as a YOU'RE BORN! present, but when she actually came home and was there and barfed all the time, I wasn't so sure...
Aunt Debbie tried to congratulate/console me with balloons. I wasn't impressed.But after a few days, I warmed up to her.

Bwahahaha.... (note: that couch is now sitting in my very own little apartment)

Bizzy was named after our grandma Elizabeth, who always went by Betty. Liz still rocks San Rio sunglasses, if you can believe it.

Sometimes I call Sister "Betty" because it's retro, and also because of our grandma, and also because of "Betty-honey Haynes" from White Christmas. Our mom wanted Lizzy's name to be Elizabeth and not be called by a nickname, but that didn't last long since she was the one who started calling her Biz. Grandma Betty never liked the name Lizzy because of some mean great-aunt or other, so it was ironic when Biz inevitably became Liz. But listen-- I've never met a Liz I didn't like, so I don't mind the nickname.

Liz has always been a big Beatles fan. This year she actually made it to Liverpool, which I think is just about the coolest thing. Check out her most epic Halloween costume from 1997:Third from the left-- John Lennon would be proud of that casted little arm. All in the name of ROCK.

A few years later Lizzy would smile in such a way that jutted her chin back into her neck a little bit and made her eyes drowsy. It's become a bit of a running joke. See how charming?

Luckily she grew up and is now the prettiest girl ever. She married a boy named Spencer, but then she couldn't decide if she wanted to keep her last name or take his, and because Mom and Dad have always told us that we (especially me) suffer from "more more more" syndrome, why have just one name when you can have two?
Isn't it weird that, aside from the snow caked in our hair and the pained expressions, we basically don't even look alike?

Bizzy is very talented and is basically good at everything she tries. She stars in local musicals--And lately she's been all about her new photog business. Check out her blog and hire her. She's really good and not obnoxiously artsy.She's also a serious rebel.

We have hilarious times together!Everything about this photo is staged.

It's good to be Biz.'eeyyyyyyyyyyyy.

Happy birthday, little Lizzy!

regarding the weather

Dear Universe,

I'm writing to tell you about how I don't mind the sudden change in temperature, and I don't even mind the prospect/appearance of snow on this, October 25.

I don't want you to think I'm saying this just to get something in return. I'm not even asking for any favors and I don't have any reason to suck up. I'm not using The Secret. I just wanted to tell you about how I like the chill and I don't even mind the snow.

In fact, I wanted to tell you it because it seems like so many people get mad about the weather. When it's 102 degrees, it's too hot. When it's 50 degrees, it's too cold. When there aren't any clouds, it's too sunny. When there are too many clouds, it's too gray. We live in a desert, where weather patterns are extreme. I get it! I'm not complaining.

And about the snow that some people got last night and this morning-- don't worry. I like it. If this were Back East, everyone would just kind of shrug about it. I can't tell you how many Halloweens I spent with an umbrella over my head to protect my witch wig from the snow. It's no biggie, Universe. I like any excuse to wear twelve layers and scarves and gloves and hats.

But okay, if you're feeling generous, and you appreciate how I appreciate your unpredictable weather habits, I'm getting a haircut this week and it would be really awesome if it turned out awesome. But I only say that because I'm going to have pictures taken in the Autumn Weather and I'd really like my hair to compliment the autumness of the season, is all.

Thanks the most.

Stay unpredictable,

Emily

disclaimer: i liked it first

In less than a week, Glee will play this season's Halloween episode based around Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Before Glee goes and makes it all popular and mainstream, I just feel like I need everyone to know--

I liked Rocky before Glee made it popular.

I know I'm not alone in this. And honestly, I'll be the first to admit that I haven't even attending a big showing or shouted "SAY IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT" at Tim Curry with an audience full of dressed-up cult followers.

But since we all know what Glee did for Journey, who existed a long time before Glee, I'm expecting hoards of people (namely over-excited high school theatre kids) to run around singing Rocky like they know anything about it, which is why I just need to reiterate--

I liked Rocky before Glee made it popular.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to work on my Magenta costume now in preparation for our viewing party.

emily's daily affirmation

I'm sure most of you have seen this video at least 70 times. I have, and friend-Kelly only showed it to me on Saturday. It's pretty catchy.


My favorite part is "I love my... whole... HOUSE! CLAP."

It's inspired me to affirm my today.

My whole life is great.
I can do anything good!
I like my Ames.
I like anything with food.
I like my dad.

I like my friends.
I like my shows.

I like my Elizabeths.
I like my moms.
I like my Diet Cokes.

I like my yarns.

I like my haircuts I'm getting next week.

I like my boots.

I like my skinny.

I like my Judy.
I like my whole life!
My life is great.

I can do anything good!
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah...
I can do anything good!

BETTER THAN ANYONE.