Not Much Wow in Wu: Jason Wu for Target

So I had seen the online lookbook, editorial press and “Today” appearances of the Jason Wu for Target collection and honestly wasn’t that enthralled. There were some cute looks in the line, but they weren’t cute looks for me. Unlike Missoni, of which I wanted any and all, immediately, there was only one dress in this collection I would even consider buying — this one.  Still, I wasn’t POSITIVE that I didn’t love it, so I got up and hauled my cookies to Target at 8 a.m. on a Sunday morning. There were plenty of items (though they weren’t carrying the blue dress) and no mob scene — God bless Iowa — but really, in person, the stuff was so underwhelming. The fabrics were not great and the designs a weird mix of old lady and young girl. I left without even seriously considering anything.

I’m glad I checked it out, and I’m equally glad I don’t live somewhere like Miami, where the couple went in and bought everything with plans to sell it for a profit.  Despite the fact that I didn’t love the collection, stories like this are so annoying they give me heart palpitations. Setting limits may not be ideal on Target’s end, but there must be a better answer. If I had waited in line only to watch store personnel escort these people out of there with every single thing available, I would be seriously disenfranchised on the level of never wanting to go back into that store. I’m just thinking Target should be careful walking this line of drawing interest and turning people off.  The quick publicity benefit isn’t going to be worthwhile once people decide they are just. over. it.

Top 25 Most Played: #24 “Worn Me Down”

I remember listening to this a ton a few years ago, so it’s not shocking it’s on this playlist. It’s just an easy listening kind of pop song. Rachel Yamagata is one of those people I really like in theory, but then don’t listen to all that often. But this song was once featured on “The O.C.” so it got itself into heavy rotation for me… That show’s been off the air for years but still permeates my iTunes!!

 

Weighing In on the Commercials

Apparently everyone with an internet connection is required to weigh on in this important national issue: the Super Bowl Commercials.

My five favorites were:

• The Honda Ferris commercial, because even though I saw it last week and yes, there could have been more, I truly love Ferris and thought it was clever.
• The Hyundai Cheetah commercial, because it made me chuckle and I didn’t see it coming.
• The Clint Eastwood Detroit commercial, because it reminds me of last year’s Eminem commercial.
• The naked M&Ms commercial, because naked chocolate is vaguely sexy.
• The Beckham H&M commercial, because nearly naked Beckham is overtly sexy.
• The dog training Volkswagen commercial, because I need to get in shape like that dog did.

These were the ones I liked the least…or didn’t like the most?:

• The end of the dog training Volkswagen commercial, with the Star Wars meta reference to last year’s commercial. Look I have nothing against Star Wars. I don’t like a brand bragging that last year’s commercial was so damn witty. I didn’t really think it was that witty.
• The Polar Bears Coke commercial. First, I don’t believe polar bears drink Coke. Second, why would they drink it out of a glass bottle? That is just not practical. No one drinks Coke out of a glass bottle anymore. (I really wanted the payoff to be that it was a plastic bottle all along. Wouldn’t that have been better?)
• GoDaddy…it’s old. Why is Danica still in on this? There isn’t a joke to be a part of any more?
• The Doritos dog murderer of the cat. I just didn’t think it was that clever.
• The Bridgestone series. Boring, not funny, too much fire power not put to good use.
• Bud Light Platinum. Yawn for the commercial, and the beer.

Movie Review: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

The “extremely loud” part is definitely on target. I wanted to like this movie. I had a pocketful of kleenex and a Sunday afternoon free. I wasn’t excited to think about 9/11 for two hours but I hoped I’d get a meaningful and interesting remembrance. Unfortunately the two hour trip is hosted by, literally, the most annoying child on the face of the earth. The 11-year-old, Oskar, is eccentric. Tests to determine if he had aspergers were “inconclusive.” There are not many scenes in which Oskar is not the primary, if not only, speaker. And after a half hour or so, his voice was like nails on a chalkboard to me. His quest to decipher a key found in his late father’s belongings is hopeless, and extremely lengthy. By the time he finds a cohort you will be so thrilled and excited to get to hear another character. Then…he’s mute! It’s a ridiculous device and only serves for more one-sided screeching by the kid. In the end, there are some touching moments. Things tie together and the crazy hopeless quest of the key feels like it had some meaning after all. Unfortunately all that comes too late. The kid has already been unlikable for too long. Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Max Von Sydow, Viola Davis and the other adults do a nice job. Unfortunately, they can’t counter balance the kid. (Disclaimer – I am not a kid hater. But I don’t have unlimited tolerance or sympathy for the fictitious ones, either.)

Crock Pot Apple Pie

Just threw together my Super Bowl party crock pot contribution: Crock Pot Apple Pie. It’s my cousin Monica’s recipe, and with four whole ingredients, it’s as easy as it is delish. First prep by spraying some Pam or other nonstick spray in your crock pot. Then layer the four ingredients:

• Pour in two cans of apple pie filling
• Layer a jar of caramel topping over the filling
• Add a package of butter pecan cake mix
• Slice up a stick of butter over the top

Do not stir it up. Just let the layers percolate as you cook on high for about 2 hours, then move to low for another 2 hours. Scoop and top with vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!

Movie Review: Tree of Life

I’d heard the reports that “Tree of Life” was love it or hate it, long and incomprehensible. Potentially pretentious. I wasn’t excited to watch it and let the DVD languish on the table for a couple of weeks. Finally, it was the last best picture nominee I had left so I forced myself to watch it. I was surprised. It was long. It was incomprehensible. And it was potentially pretentious. But there was something really engaging about it. Even the 20 minute diversion into the big bang and dinosaur reckoning was more realistic and interesting to watch than I imagined it would be. The overall theme of theology — who is God and why is He, or isn’t He, watching us — felt organic and not as forced as it should have. The performances were awesome — you never questioned how people were feeling despite very little dialogue and nearly no cohesive, scene-by-scene narrative. Brad Pitt was very good, his keyed up speak first think later father was the exact opposite of his downtrodden, thinking and methodical Moneyball character. And this was the first time I felt like I understood the fuss about Jessica Chastain. All that said, it’s not a movie I’d recommend without reservation. I have a feeling I have more patience that most to sit for two hours without getting what I’m watching. But if you feel like just giving over to some beautiful cinematography and a somewhat coherent coming of age tale somewhere in the middle there, you may enjoy it.

Kevin Bacon Comes to TV

Kevin Bacon Comes to TV

Following in his wife’s lovely footsteps. Can’t wait to see him on a weekly basis

Three Wierdest Things About the RHOBH Reunion: Part 1

1. Adrienne is genuinely offended by the phrase “The Maloof Hoof?” I mean there are so many worse things to say about those shoes, and I’m sure Lisa wanted to say them. But “The Maloof Hoof” really is a stupid pun, not an offensive comment.

2. Kyle is genuinely offended that Lisa stated she wants for attention because she did the splits on a table? You did the splits on the table! You are a middle aged woman! Get it together.

3. I kind of like Bernie the chef hating Lisa. But did we just spend that much time on Bernie the chef?

Analyzing the “Top 25 Most Played” – For Better or Worse

Looking at my “Top 25 Most Played” auto-generated iTunes list is actually not as embarrassing as I feared. I once put my brother’s list on in the car and let’s just say, he had some ‘splainin to do. Still, I thought I’d take a look at the list and see what we come up with, starting at 25 and working our way up. (Where is Rick Dees when you need him?)

So, #25 — “Satellite” by Guster. This is odd. I’m no big fan of Guster. A quick search shows I only have five Guster songs at all, and only one other one with a title that rings a bell. I’m guessing this song ended up on a playlist or two that must be or have been in heavy rotation. But that said, this is a sweet little song that is great background humming music if nothing else. I can see why I’d click on it, if not to jam to, to just be to.

Taco Turkey Skillet

So I started the Paleo Diet in January. I haven’t cheated (too much) and have actually found that I feel pretty great cutting out carbs, sugars, dairy and processed foods. But I’ve had to get creative with my food. I’m lucky to be working from home this week, so I can actually cook my lunches. Though keep in mind I have about a 10-minute attention span!

The last two days I’ve had this yummy plate of goodness. I keep forgetting to take a picture…though this one tastes better than it looks!

Taco Turkey Skillet

Get out a skillet and cook up 1/4 lb. 97% fat free ground turkey, 1/2 cup chopped onion (I keep tons on hand in Tupperware because I add it to everything!) and a generous sprinkling of taco seasoning.

Line a plate with lettuce. Put the turkey concoction on top of the lettuce. Add chopped tomato, salsa and avocado chunks on top.

The taco seasoning and salsa gives it a kick, and the avocado adds moisture to the the could-be-dry turkey. Not bad!

Image: zirconicusso / FreeDigitalPhotos.net