True Blood Recap: Episode 1

Good morning!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  Mine was wonderful, and I got to see my sister finish her second half marathon, which she ran to raise money for K9s for Wounded Warriors, an organization that turns rescued dogs into service dogs for injured veterans.  I'm pretty proud of her, and hope some other people discover what great work the group is doing.

And now, for the real topic of the blog post today, where it becomes even more obvious what I nerd I am.

Warning, if you haven't yet watched the True Blood premiere, you'll want to stop reading.  I've decided that since few things entertain me more than being an HBO geek, I shall start sharing my thoughts on each True Blood episode for the 9 of you who will want to read it.  Is this blog traffic suicide?  Perhaps.  Do I care?  Nope!

Here we go!

I love me some Eric (I mean, Ike Applebaum), and I hope this whole screwing his sister Nora in a freight container not 24 hours after wanting to be with Sookie forever is some sort of tactic to keep himself safe.  However, he probably hasn't faced much rejection since the year 900 so I doubt he knows how to deal with it.  That said, I did enjoy the scenery, and now we know that Eric wears black briefs under those jeans.  Bill seemed to just be along for the ride in this episode, and I hope he gets a good story arc this year.  Obviously The Authority will be one of the main villains this season, and I'm interested to see how Russell plays into it all because he cracks me up.

I just wanted to jump into the TV and give Lala a hug this week.  Poor guy has been through a lot, and on top of that he had to scoop Debbie brains off the floor instead of grieving.  I hope he has a purpose this year, and the disappearance of Jesus is not another ominous event.  But this is True Blood, and it probably is. 

I loved Sookie's admission that she chose to kill Debbie, and I hope she struggles with it and does more than stomp around trying to save people this year and have some feelings (and perhaps more gratuitous Eric hookups as part of her ominous promise to reunite him and Pam).  I wanted her to tell Alcide what happened, but I'm sure he'll find out in a much more dramatic way later and perhaps save her from TARA THE VAMPIRE!  I had a feeling that would happen in an episode called "Turn, Turn, Turn" and I loved that Pam did it, and that she wore a lemon yellow Walmart sweatsuit with butterflies on it.  I wholeheartedly agree that nothing screams team spirit like fashion sacrifices and dirt in your bra.

The whole werewolf/Sam faceoff looks promising, and I was happy to see Alcide stride in to save the day while Marcus' parents ATE HIS BODY!  Wtf mate?  I liked seeing Sam refuse to sell Alcide out, and I hope they continue their partnership but not let Sam get hurt anymore.

 Can you imagine being Jason Stackhouse and being propositioned by three people (well, one person and two vampires) in 8 hours? I love that Steve Newlin is some sort of country club fabulous vampire, but I hope he doesn't get a storyline of his own because it sounds like we'll have plenty to keep up with and Jason can be part of Jessica's college party girl experience and save Sookie from something.  I also hope Hoyt gets some screen time with his crazy mother, and I can't wait to see why he's wearing eyeliner in the trailer for this season!

I am super pumped to see Noel from Felicity (I know his name is Scott Foley but he will forever be a dreamy RA to me) on the show, and I am really interested to see what drove Terry to crazy.  The slew of fires sounds like foreshadowing to something bad, and maybe it will be Andy's chance at redemption to save him after caving to corruption.  He and Holly are cute, though. 

So, what did you think?!  Is it what you hoped, or do you sense some shark-jumping on the horizon?  Tell me!

5 Things Friday

Happy Friday!  Hopefully you all have wonderful weekend plans and are off to spend them with friends and family.  I'll be relaxing and doing much of the same, but before I start, here are a few random things cluttering my mind:

1. True Blood Season 5 premieres this Sunday night and I cannot wait!  I had a dream that Alexander Skarsgard (the actor, not Eric Northman) was my friend and invited me to ride jet skis on a lake, which is probably a sign that I'll enjoy the show this year... or I need to stop and focus on real people.

2. This week I was reminded of the importance of maintaining friendships, and making time for the people who remind me of how fun it is to be young, fairly carefree, and living in a great city with lots to do.  I take it for granted, and instead I should live it up before this phase of my life is over.  Now I am happily planning my Slumber Party Like It's 1999 gathering, where several girlfriends and I will rock out to Michelle Branch, watch Cruel Intentions, and drink fruity high school girl concoctions.  Watch for the evite, real life friends!

Source: google.com via Hilary on Pinterest

3. I bought this scarf for $12 at Target on a whim before leaving for Italy, and have worn it about 6 times in a month.  People assume it's more expensive, and always comment on the colors.  I hereby grant permission for y'all to copy me if you like it, too, and we don't see each other often.

 4. Last week I had the pleasure of meeting some new friends over dinner (thanks for inviting me, Erin!) and one them is a cofounder of Lionette, an amazing jewelry line based out of NYC.  I was thrilled to purchase a dainty necklace and bracelet for myself, and fell in love with the line!  Is this necklace not amazeballs?!

5. I have done through several phases where I fall in love with maps and want them in my house, but move on to other ideas before finding the proper option.  However, N and I have decided that we want a proper world map where we will stick pins in the places we've visited.  Unfortunately, I am beyond picky and it with great sadness that I discovered my perfect map to be sold out.  However, i will now stalk the These Are Things shop until this map is restocked.

See you next week!

Fighting Wrinkes (Stylishly, Of Course)

I'm very unlucky in that my skin is prone to cancer instead of suntans.  It runs on both sides of my family, and I've visited the dermatologist twice a year since I was 14 for skin checks and probably two dozen biopsies that have left me marked with lots of little scars on my arms and back.  (First world problem, I know... my first rate medical care is not convenient.)  One of the only positive side effect of this situation is a nice relationship with my dermatologist, who happily answers my various skin questions as she removes the suspicious spots.

Since summer is upon us, I thought I'd share the best, most obvious tip she's given for warding off wrinkles and premature crows feet (besides sunscreen, of course)... wear you sunglasses ALL THE TIME.   The skin around your eyes is thin, and squinting causes wrinkles.  Big, dark sunglasses cut down on this reflex as well as keep that delicate skin out of direct sunlight. I've heeded this advice for years, and rock my glasses even on overcast days, and think it has helped.

Source: google.com via Sally on Pinterest

And this wouldn't be a fashion blog without some examples.  Bigger is better in terms of blocking light, and luckily this trend is back in full force:  

Your best protection against wrinkles by cardiganjunkie featuring cat eye sunglasses

Juicy Couture tortoise cat eye sunglasses
$135 - lordandtaylor.com

Stella mccartney sunglasses
$225 - shopbop.com

Kate Spade cat eye sunglasses
$128 - piperlime.gap.com

Kate Spade oversized sunglasses
$128 - katespade.com

Cole haan sunglasses
$78 - endless.com

Cole Haan black sunglasses
$150 - endless.com

My favorite pair is, tragically, made by Stella McCartney and very much overpriced for what they are.  However, I have not given up hope that there will be some sort of freak sale and they will be mine.  I'd be so freaking glamorous, I tell you!

And in case you're curious, here are more skin care tips that I have gathered from my nervous chatter on the operating table

• Cera Ve cleanser and moisturizer is amazing and keeps your skin soft.  It's fairly cheap, and I get big bottles at Target to refill my pair of soap dispensers.
• You do not need to feel "squeaky clean" after you wash your face!  This is not a good sign, it means you went overboard.
• Look for broad spectrum sunscreens, and consider some with zinc oxide if you'll be out all day.  It's clear now, and you won't look like an early 90s beach volleyball player.
• Spring for the tinting on your car windows, if you can.  It blocks light, and if you spend lots of time in the drivers seat, every little bit of protection helps.  You can get sunburned through the window of a car!
• Wash your pillowcase more than your sheets!  (I buy extra ones because I am lazy)
• Do not trust some business you found on Groupon to perform laser hair removal on your body without thorough research into the lasers used and the person performing the service.  An unqualified technician can cause serious burns, even scarring!

What's your secret to good skin?  

What To Read: Vol. 4

If you haven't noticed, I like books.  A lot.  And periodically, I like to share some of the recent ones I've read in hopes that you'll enjoy them too.

Source: flickr.com via Mary Kate on Pinterest

One of the best things about my Italy vacation was the chance to sit and read for hours in planes and trains.  Thankfully, so many of my blogging friends are bookworms so I had lots of good recommendations to go on.  The first book I read was recommended on my friend Erin's blog, Little e,  a while back, and I too recommend The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.  The best I can say is that it's a beautiful book and you fall instantly into the story.  I've not read anything quite like it, and I think if you liked Harry Potter you will enjoy this too. 

Next, I read Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster by Dana Thomas.  I'd already heard of this book because of my work in retail marketing, but was reminded of it once again when Victoria posted about it on Vmac & Cheese.  It's a nonfiction book that offers a fascinating look into the brands everyone seems to covet, and how an "it bag" comes to be and which ones may be worth the price.  I was already somewhat immune to the draw of luxury marketing, and this book further changed how I will react to ad campaigns going forward.  If you're a marketing nerd like me, you'll love it.

 Next I read another book from Erin's list called Sex With Kings by Eleanor Herman.  It's a nonfiction, and bawdy,  account of the history of royal mistresses which is really interesting to a historical fiction reader like myself.  I'm not a fan of the author's writing style (she gets a little melodramatic) but I could tell the book was carefully researched and it was super interesting to learn what was socially acceptable 200+ years ago!

Next, I started what has become an obsession.  Where the heck have I been that I had never heard of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon?!  I am in love with Jamie Fraser, and read the first three books (800+ pages each) in a week.  I'm now on book four of seven, and the eighth comes out next year.  The series doesn't fit a single genre, so it's Romance/Fantasy/Adventure/History all at once.  Someone read them and then chat with me about it!

And just for fun, here's what I agree to be the appropriate depiction of Jamie.  However, I want Chris Hemsworth and Emily Blunt to star in the movie, if there ever is one. 

  So, who else has good book suggestions?  After I finish my current series, I'll be reading The Family Fang and The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb.  What next?

Style I Love: Melanie Laurent

This weekend N and I watched the movie Beginners and I really liked it, and not just because it starred my Scottish love Ewan McGregor.  The story was great, but I also really liked seeing french actress Melanie Laurent again (since Inglorious Basterds).

Source: trailers.apple.com via Sue on Pinterest

Like all the french girls we love to watch, she has impeccable style and never looks too "done".  There's something to be said for messy hair, I think.

Source: tumblr.com via Émylie on Pinterest

Source: uncrn.com via Megan on Pinterest

Source: foros.vogue.es via Maria on Pinterest

Source: fromcrayonstoperfumenz.blogspot.com via Galitt on Pinterest

Source: skyliving.sky.com via Elle on Pinterest

Source: annieseffect.files.wordpress.com via Haley on Pinterest

Source: pinmywings.tumblr.com via Haley on Pinterest

I think I need a leather jacket, some headbands, and more chiffon in my life.  Then I'll wear this and sip coffee on a sidewalk:

French Girl Chic by cardiganjunkie featuring genuine leather jackets

Bird print dress
$32 - sheinside.com

Diesel Black Gold genuine leather jacket
$575 - diesel.com

Opaque hosiery
€37 - pret-a-beaute.com

DICO COPENHAGEN ankle booties
$195 - asos.com

Madewell chain necklace
$55 - madewell.com

Stella McCartney round sunglasses
$225 - shopbop.com

Hair accessory
£50 - stone-bridge.co.uk

Anyone care to join me?

Trendspotting: Yellow Pants

One of the things I love about going to Europe is seeing glimpses of what might be popular here in the coming months.  When I spent time in the UK during college, I came back wearing ballet flats before they were easy to find here, and a few months later they were in every store.  This trip, I couldn't help but notice that there were tons of women wearing yellow pants (and some men) all over Rome.

Obviously the bright pants trend is alive and well here, as well, but yellow is not seen as often as bright blue, coral or green and I won't be surprised if we see it everywhere very soon.

Here's some inspiration from the early adopters:

Source: notetosarah.tumblr.com via Robbie on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Kristin on Pinterest

Source: thesartorialist.com via Adebisi on Pinterest

And here are some options currently available, in case you want to jump on the bandwagon right now:

Wide Leg Pants
Cropped Pants

I'm not sure I'll be sporting a pair this summer yet, but it's very tempting! 

Italian Vacation Recap - Rome

I know you're probably sick of reliving my vacation, but it's my blog and I'm not, so here's a quick peek into the last leg of our trip - Rome!

I loved Rome, and it was the only city we visited where I thought that I could actually live for longer than 6 months.  We stayed at the Hotel Mascagni near the Piazza Republicca, and it was very helpful to be near a Metro stop.  Getting around the city was easy and cheap, and there was so much to see and do.  We booked Friday night tickets to visit the Vatical museum ( offered a couple of times per month), which ended up being a great plan that freed up our Saturday afternoon for a tour of the Colosseum and an Eating Italy food tour.  We browsed the  massive Porto Portese market on Sunday morning, and it made me wish that I lived in a city where you can buy antiques from a street vendor.  On our last day, we ventured outside the city to the ancient Appian Way, and wished that Texas was as gorgeous as the Italian countryside.

All in all, we had an amazing trip, and I'm so grateful that we got to experience it while we are young enough to enjoy it!  I was glad to come home to the land of free ice water and sound proof walls, but a part of me will always miss le dolce vita.

I'll return to normal posting next week - have a nice weekend!



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