Cuts on the Bias

You guys, stop it.

The Warm Fuzzies

Glastonbury Festival is always muddy, so I think it gives people license to wear what EVER the hell they want. I can't decide which one of these adult plush toys I like more, and god knows where they found these fleece onesies. I secretly wish I could strut this in Brooklyn this winter, but pretty sure I would get beaten up.

iPhone Update

I love Americans. We don't see any problem in putting a Cinnabon shop right next to the entrance to a Whole Foods store. There both food, right?

But that's not why I took this photo. My real purpose was to try out my new iPhone 3Gs. That's right, I stuck with iPhone even though it's a mediocre phone from a company that annoys me and a service provider who is anything but. Why not the Palm Pre? Too complicated to recap here, but the deal breaker was I would have to get a new phone number and sign a 2 year contract with a carrier I didn't know. It was kind of like having to marry someone new the minute I got divorced.

Instead, I got the new iPhone and I'm glad I did. It's still a mediocre phone, but now it's a much better handheld computer. It's faster and lighter weight. The compass is cool, the camera is much improved, and I really like the voice activation (a feature I had years ago with LG...). Oh yea, and the apps. So many to choose from. Right now, top favs are "Where" which lets me find local spots like a theatre then review movie times and buy tix; "G-Park" which reminds me where I parked my car; and a new time-sucking game called "StoneLoops."

And then there's the killer phone app of all time which made me renew my mobileme subscription even though I hate mobileme:  "Where's my phone?" Log onto mobileme, and it will find your missing iphone. If it's not where it should be, it lets you wipe your missing phone clean of all data.  wow. makes you wonder why cars and computers don't have that feature.

And now, your moment of zen.

If you'd like to take a break from Iran, and awol governor and Jon&Kate plus 8 please venture over to men.style.com and cruise the D&G Spring 2010 mens fashion show. What would we do without their razzle dazzle?

Top Secret Quiz

Every day I get a quiz on Facebook or email. I've been encouraged to learn what dog I am, which gay character I am, which 50's pin-up I am and the first letter of the man I'll marry (that would be a "D"). I never take these quizzes because I don't want to allow the quiz maker access to all my profile information, photos and other random stuff they request. But I do like quizzes.

One fun one I found recently is hosted by none other than your very own CIA. That's right, when not chasing down terrorists, they create clever surveys. Try their Personality Quiz--it's easy to take and I bet it's more accurate than Facebook. According to them, I'm a Daring Thrill-Seeker. I'm surprised an employment application hasn't showed up yet.

Yum.

New CutandBaste, I ate this whole thing and I'd do it again.

Slip into something more comfortable

You guys, I've moved into a new house and I'm going on day 17 of having no internet or television. No TV fine, I'm missing SYTYCD but I can survive-internet is a huge fucking problem, sorry Grandma for swearing.

I work from home so technically Cablevision owes me two weeks of pay and I need to be re-imbursed for the 85 coffees and 12 side salads I've purchased at the internet cafe I am currently writing from. After processing orders, sending out PR blasts and reading CNN (whoa) I have stumbled up this GENIUSness.

Behold Rollasole! Based in UK this company sells ballet flats through vending machines in clubs for like $5. No more walking out like a new born pony, throw your heels off and walk out in pride.

Speak Up

Sorry for the slight absence. With moving, planning a wedding and launching the second line of Smocks, this has been a crowded month for Kelley and I. In fact, it's still very busy, but recent events made me want to write this morning.

There's an ominous rise in violence directed at specific groups. The murder of a doctor who performs abortions and the slaying of a guard at the Holocaust Museum are two most recent examples. Gun ownership has risen sharply since Obama was elected and the news media, specifically Fox News, has showcased pundits who urge their viewers to fear our government for any number of reasons. While this blog usually comments on positive elements of style and substance, negative elements are equally possible. When commentators and their believers push a style of fear and hatred, the substance that follows is ugly.

My first reaction to the recent ugliness was resignation. I felt helpless to stop the nastiness and brutality. Then I realized I don't have to stop it--all I have to do is try to stop it. And that I can do. I bet we all know at least one person who listens to Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck. We all know at least one person who believes Obama is a Muslim and 9/11 an inside job. We usually ignore them, reasoning that they won't listen to us or change their views. But I think it's irresponsible not to try. Take the time to figure out why they believe these fantasies and what types of argument they might at least hear. Then speak up. Repeatedly. They may not change their minds, but at least you won't be one who stands by and says nothing.

Like Obama said, "It's time for a new beginning."

Dear Mom,

    Thanks SO much for letting me borrow your blow dryer today, you know better than anyone that "air" drying doesn't work well for our paper thin hair. Quick question...when was the last time you bought a blow dryer? I only ask because it took about 20 minutes to dry my two pieces of hair and my biceps are burning.  For someone who is so up to date on technology, you should be embarrassed and ashamed. Your square cornflower blue Conair 1866 is the equivalent of a Hummer. I even went to the Conair website and they don't make it anymore, it's now vintage.

Let me brief you on some new key features that have popped up over the past 10 years.  First off, they are MUCH lighter!  Someone figured out that you have to hold a dryer in one hand and a brush in the other for at least 5 minutes and it hurts. Problem solved. The handles fit better and have buttons and switches next to fingers that can actually work while drying. Awesome. To add to the WOW factor, they have added all sorts of customizations like diffusers (we don't need that) and dryers that add shine and volume, most importantly they are lightening fast (1800 watts of power)!

The dryer pictured above won the Allure Best of Beauty Award for 2009, it's called the T3 Featherweight (fierce) and it's a bit pricey, but I guarantee if you walk into a local vendor this baby will be 50% off right now. Let me also remind you that you use a blow dryer everyday, I am witness, so if you do the math this pays for itself.