An Eyeroll Moment

Just saw this tag on a link to photos of Sandra Bullock: It’s hard to catch a Sandra Bullock sighting in the aftermath of [stupid scandal reference redacted]. See pics of the beautiful starlet.

STARLET? The woman has been in many commercially successful and critically acclaimed films with a worldwide gross of over three billion dollars, she’s one of the wealthiest women in her profession, her humanitarian efforts are well-documented, and she’s been nominated multiple times and won Golden Globe and Oscar awards.

Exactly what does she have to do to stop being called a “starlet?”

LJ Runway Monday: The Big, Top Designers (PR 7:12)

On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers were taken to Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, where circus performers put on a show just for them. They were then asked to create a design inspired by the circus, with a warning to make their look more high-end than costume-like.

Full disclosure: I’m one of those people with mixed feelings about the circus. It’s not the clowns; clowns don’t really bother me. I just feel a little icky about training animals to perform for our amusement. I get that same icky feeling at amusement park animal shows. At least in reputable zoos and aquariums, where an attempt is made to create natural habitats, I feel a little better about the animals.

However, I can enjoy the spectacle of the ringmaster and the human performers, who are there by choice and are paid for their work, so I kept my focus on that circus feature.

It was also refreshing to get this photo from Summer. She’s back home preparing her VERY well-cared-for horses for a special occasion at which they only have to look pretty.

A new model was waiting in the wings to help me present the…greatest show in this journal entry.

Click here to see.

Make it right

It has come to my attention that some of my readers feel cheated that I never posted anything about my thirty-fifth birthday. It was a wonderful day. Along with a pile of funny and sweet cards (some with gifts of the spending kind!), texts, e-mails, calls, packages, and the like, I enjoyed a happy evening with friends.


Me, Tom, and Tim
Lynne, Lindsey, Rhonda

sitting in front of a pile o’ grilled steaks, baked potatoes, salad, and garlic bread that they all brought and cooked without my assistance. All I had to do was eat! It was DELICIOUS. Kathy S arrived later with a wonderful plug-in candle for scented candle tarts that are also delicious (smelling).

Please click here for more photos and stuff behind the cut.

LJ Runway Monday: Sew Much Pressure (PR 7:11)

On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, Heidi Klum told the designers that she was glad she wasn’t in their shoes. Their assignment was to create a red carpet look for a celebrity who was known to be very demanding and sometimes difficult–Heidi herself!

I’ve designed for Heidi more than I’ve designed for Summer this season, but I thought I’d give it another shot. Once again, Summer’s agent told me that my favorite model wasn’t available for booking. In the agent’s words, “Summer will be rolling with the Easter Bunny-in-Chief this weekend.” I’m not certain what that means, but I am sure she’ll look fantastic doing it.

Heidi happily agreed to model for me once again. She’s a trooper. Or else she’s just glad I didn’t decide to not finish the season. That’s not a criticism of the designer who left the show. If she didn’t feel driven to complete the season, and especially if she wasn’t certain her work was at a point to show at Bryant Park, she did the right thing. It worked out well for Anthony.

So how did this week’s challenge work out for me?

Click here to see Heidi’s red carpet look.

Whatever happened to Fay Wray?

Fay Wray died in 2004, a little more than a month before her ninety-seventh birthday. She was such a memorable and beloved Ann Darrow in 1933’s King Kong–the first actress to earn the label “scream queen”–that two days after she died, the lights of the Empire State Building were turned off for fifteen minutes in her honor.

When Kong came back to life in 1976, he dumped Ann for another beauty named Dwan.

The big ape nearly ended Jessica Lange’s career before it began, but thanks to The Postman Always Rings Twice and Frances in 1981 and 1982, it was revived. So was Kong, who’d forgotten all about Dwan and traveled back in time for Naomi Watts’s version of Ann Darrow in Peter Jackson’s 2005 remake.

My own particular favorite Ann Darrow is the one on the desk in front of me. That face, that beautiful face.


Mattel, 2002

LJ Runway Monday: The Elements of Fashion (PR 7:8)


On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers were asked to create a look inspired by one of the four natural elements. They drew at random and received either earth, air, fire, or water. Tim held cards for me to pick from with the elements written on them. I was a little wary of which one I’d get. I have nothing against blondes, but I’ve designed for four in a row, and I was ready for a change.

Once again, my redheaded muse was unavailable. She landed an acting gig in a period movie allegedly starring Julia Roberts. (I’m not saying a word about Mary Reilly.) As always, I wish her the best. I don’t know if she can act, but she’ll look fantastic. SUMMER, not Julia Roberts.

I was happy when I drew the element of fire. I knew a model with fiery hair who’d be perfect for the design I envisioned. Maybe my idea is somewhat literal, but I was disappointed in the PR designers’ fabric palettes. I wanted something bolder.

Did I get what I wanted? Please click here to see.

LJ Runway Monday: Hard Wear (PR 7:7)


On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers were asked to create an unconventional look using materials they could get from a trip to the hardware store. They also had to create an accessory to go with it. I went to Houston’s fantastic Southland Hardware. This is one of my favorite places–since it’s in a neighborhood full of old homes, we can always count on them to stock things for our eighty-year-old house–or know where we can get what we need.

Southland also provides little bags of popcorn free to their customers, and since Tim and his boss were with me for part of my shopping trip, I helped The Big H discover the delights of my favorite snack.

Then I picked up a few things:


Dry wall repair kit, skid-proof shelf liner, silver chain, furniture repair kit, paint cones.

I wasn’t too worried about coming up with a design. After all, I’ve used unconventional materials before, and Summer has always…

Oh, yeah. Summer. I heard from her and she said she’s so busy she’s barely keeping afloat these days. Translation:

Does anyone remember the second season of Charlie’s Angels? The first episode, when we find out Jill Munroe won’t be returning? Jill Munroe, who was played by the late Farrah Fawcett? The same Farrah Fawcett who was WRONGLY NOT INCLUDED in the tribute section of Sunday night’s Oscars?

But I digress. As the second season begins, although Jill will no longer be helping the other angels, she’s sent someone in her place: younger sister Kris Munroe, played by Cheryl Ladd.

No, Cheryl Ladd isn’t this week’s model. Ready to find out who is?

Then please click here.

LJ Runway Monday: A Little Bit of Fashion (PR 7:6)


On the most recent episode of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the designers were asked to create a look for children. My child model is a friend of Kelly, Barbie’s preschool-age sister, and is named, coincidentally, Becky.

Of course, as is usual with Project Runway, the day after getting their challenge, the designers were presented with a twist. They were also expected to create a companion piece for their models.

Models… No one who knows Summer thinks she wouldn’t be where the action is. Yep:


Vancouver! Before you start wondering why Summer’s with a different guy every week, I should tell you that this Olympic medalist is only a close friend.

Fortunately, the beautiful Gina was available to walk with little Becky down the runway. How do they look?

Please click here to see.

“You must have found my camera…”

I don’t remember how I got to this–so if someone on my friends’ list linked it, I’d be glad to give you credit–but I love this guy’s creative blog post showing what he’s done in case his camera gets lost. I don’t know about all digital cameras, but I can protect pictures on mine to keep from accidentally deleting them. Therefore I could do this on my camera–but I couldn’t be as adorable as Andrew McDonald.