LAGNIAPPE

It's probably doomed to the same level of inactivity as this blog, but I am digging it right now:

http://madgebettany.tumblr.com/

Oh, Mark Valley, I have loved you ever since Keen Eddie, but here, well,

I do not like you so far.

As a combination Sorry-I-Haven't-Posted-in-Forever and Happy Belated Holidays gift, here are 3 blogs that I've been enjoying. Hope you do, too.

http://camille-flauntit.blogspot.com/ "If You've Got It, Flaunt It"
Camille is a smart, smart lady with witty things to say about books (I Capture the Castle), movies/TV (The Wire) and eyecandy (viva ASkars!) Plus, I appreciate how her take on race issues helps me keep my eyes on the prize, now that I'm living in a white bread world.

http://thesweetbird.blogspot.com/ "Flights of Fancy"
Kate likes The Secret History, Eddie Redmayne, and "Angel from Montgomery." 'Nuff said.

http://mynewplaidpants.blogspot.com/ "My New Plaid Pants"
Jason is a great movie critic and bullshit detector, as well as a keen judge of manflesh (Thomas Kretschmann fans, unite!) Plus, he's always going to super-secret previews and special directors' talks after the screenings.

Care to share any sites that embiggen your world?

So I'm catching up on Gossip Girl (Don't judge! It's witty!) and I realize that Serena and I are wearing the same shirt! Not similar styles--the exact same model. Splendid's Light Jersey Racerback Tank in Mud http://www.splendid.com/Light_Jersey_Racerback_Tank/pd/np/233/p/1192.html

It's in Episode s3e4 "Dan de Fleurette" during the scene when Lily returns home. Serena wears it with an incredible turquoise chunk necklace, tight jeans, mega heels, and an updo. I've got mine with black cargo pants, black Ralph Lauren crocodile slides (second hand and therefore vegan), and my usual beachy, boho look (that means unbrushed and low-maintenance long hair.) Another key difference is that I bought my tank on sale at Anthropologie for $9.99 PLUS I had a 15% off coupon because it was my birthday month. Advantage: me.

(I know that I really shouldn't give a damn that I share a top with a fictitious teenager on a CW show, but, hey, this never happens to me.)

 

So I've been fiddling around with my journal background style and trying to get rid of the LJ crap that seems to post itself and it occurred to me that I should post an actual entry. So...

My new favorite thing is this web site http://www.polyvore.com/  It's full of very magazine-layout-worthy collages (called "sets") that various members have created and posted. They are inspired by designers, fashion trends, celebrity style, color themes, seasonal looks, you name it. Some of the sets include explanatory text, journal-like entries, and even short fiction. If you are hankering for a reminder of Keira Knightley's green evening gown from Atonement, complete with a library interior in the background and some appropriate poetry, well, Polyvore has got 25 versions to choose from.

I enjoy just browsing around; the unified color palettes and pretty clothes are just so soothing to look at. If you have a trying phone call to make, pull this site up and flip through pages and pages of, say, Zooey Deschanel's pastel goodness while you are on hold. Another thing that I really like is the community is very close-knit and supportive. Comments are uniformly enthusiastic and complimentary; no one ever slags off on anybody's choice of model or brand name. It's just a nice site to visit.

And, if you do visit, can you please explain why Starbucks cups are pictured so often?