Pretty in Puce

A quick look at First Lady Obama's Inaugural outfit tells us a few things about her personality that we previously may not have known:

1. She is not afraid of some daytime sparkle. (Yay! Let us all follow suit!)
2. She is brave enough to try colors previously only worn by Pixar characters (see: Mike Wazowski in Monster's Inc.)
3. She does not have to wear schmancy designer labels to feel fabulous. (Isabel Toledo dress, JCrew gloves, Jimmy Choo shoes. See also: interview with Leno outfit)
4. She is classic with a twist. (Like Jackie O. meets an Uptown girl)
5. She plans on keeping us surprised with her fashion choices throughout the Presidency.

I, for one, very much look forward to what fashion wheels she will get turning and what fads she will lead.

Resolution

An explanation about my intention for New Years resolutions: I think you should make as many as necessary, to be amended as needed, added often, and the list completed by the end of January (which is the end of the retail year; how appropriate!) or, at the latest, the last day of February. Resolutions are meant to be kept; though, as with all rules, some bending does occur (sans penalty). Resolutions are to be held in high regard by friends and acquaintances, whether or not agreement is achieved (or sought). Resolutions are non-binding and certainly non-legal. Resolutions usually have a reason; however, no reason must be evident, apparent, needed, or given.

So, without further ado, a resolution:

I will not buy another cocktail dress (this year) no matter how good the sale (and employee discount), the reason (another opera with The Tenor), how magnificent I look and/or feel in it (expensive fabrics always make me feel delicious), or how I may try to convince myself otherwise (remember: Masters in counseling).

Absent but not Gone

Hello my magpies
I'll apologize for my absence, but I don't think an apology is really what you are looking for. An explanation may provide a bit more useful: I work in retail and the holidays caught me quite by surprise this year (although the Christmas music starting November 1 should have been an accurate cue). Then it was time to go home and spend the Holiday with my lovely family and boyfriend. New Years quickly came (as it does every year, without fail), and here we are at January 13. I should mention that I was full of grand intention of blogging much sooner than today; however, I fell rather ill on Friday and spent the majority of the past five days in bed or on the floor of my bathroom. However, with the help of The Tenor (for kindness and TLC) and CityDoc (for 2 liters of IV fluids, Phenergan, and assorted antibiotics), I'm finally in the seated position. I will be bringing you my 2009 predictions as well as the usual banter that fills these pages.
Until then, ciao!

Forgotten Laura Hunt followup post

Sorry all! I did go to the Laura Hunt estate sale--and...well...it was slightly anticlimactic. Nothing too expensive. Nothing so extreme. Nothing Rococo and ridiculous. Just some basic furnishings from a few homes that she had done and will be redoing soon. Sure, there were the $10k Lion's Head Tavern doors from the early 1900s and the $8k chandeliers, but that was to be expected.
The only thing I am KICKING myself for is there were two vintage, used Louis Vuitton trunks going for $150! I have never seen the prices so low, and I completely missed the opportunity to own these beautiful leather pieces! I'm going to have to remember to call her office tomorrow and see if they are still available.....

Die Fledermaus

One of the perks of canoodling with Transcendental Steve is getting the early invite to the opera. Last night was the final dress and media night for Die Fledermaus. I quite enjoy the opera. While DF was slated to be an English version of my favorite opera, The Merry Widow...it did not quite live up to that expectation. However, the comedy and current event interjections into the hundred year plus script was a nice way to keep thins relevant and rather entertaining.
My hat is off to Chad Shelton for a wonderful portrayal of the mushy, love struck tenor Alfredo as well as Ava for her beautiful Adele. The chorus, as always, did a wonderful job supporting the main characters, and even stealing the show away from them as their harmonies and resonance filled the hall. Speaking of stealing the show, if it weren't for comedic moments by Broadway actor Grant Neale (Frosch) and Tracy Wise (Dr. Blind), I may not have laughed so hard and been so intent to see what would happen next.
Thank you, Dallas Opera, for delivering once again!

Laura Hunt Estate Sale

What used to be Harold's in Highland Park Village is currently under transformation to accommodate an estate sale hosted/thrown/sponsored by Laura Hunt. I cannot wait to see what this space will hold! I'll report tonight on what goodies (extravagant and rococo, I'm sure) are found!

Christmast wish list(s)

While investigating and researching what should be on every Magpie's Christmas list this year (provided she's on the nice, not naughty, side of Santa), I've come to realize there are many list-making-machines available for perusal and usage--no matter what your list contains.

So, before my Christmas wish list makes its debut, I will create a wishlist of wishlists. (How you like that?)

1. Neiman Marcus. The fact that their annual wishlist catalog is mailed all over the world should be an indicator of the caliber of not only the taste but the wish-level of those who receive. However, for those of us who are not part of the INCIRCLE, we can still enjoy the Neiman's wishlist creator. It's easy to register, easy to create, and easy for others to find.

2. Amazon.com. Although shiny and sparkly are the penultimate for this gal, I do enjoy a book or two (especially when about my favorite topic!). One of the perks of the Amazon.com wishlist is that as you begin to add your favorites books or movies, a list of suggestions appears. If anything looks interesting, you can add them to your wishlist, too. (Don't forget, Amazon isn't just books, movies, and music anymore--it's a little bit of everything!)

3. My Christmas Wishlist. If the things you'd like to find under the tree are found in multiple locations on the internet, My Christmas Wishlist is the site for you. Rather than shopping around on one website and adding things to your bin, MCW asks that you provide the name, description, and URL of your desired. You share your wishlists by getting your friends/family to join the site and creating a group. The intricacy of this site will only be appreciated by the shopper with lots of time to shop around. However, this list would be a great site for Secret Santas, offices, or carpool moms to gather everyone together.

4. Your List Online. The Your List Online creator is very user friendly and allows access to thousands of websites, without having to drag information back with you (although you can insert your own URLs, too). It also allows your list to be tweaked and content changed for life events like birthdays and weddings. YLO allows for people to search for your list without having to register for the site--which people (like my parents) would consider a perk.

5. Froogle @ Google. Obviously, with the power of this search engine at your mere fingertips Froogle.Google's shoppinglist is a great go-to for everything and anything purchaseable. Sharing capacities are as uncomplicated as clicking "add to" while surfing (and searching) the net.

Want one more?
6. Shoe Hunting. Yes, this is TOTALLY a targeted website. But Magpie likey. So the wishlist creator at Shoe Hunting gets a shoutout! This website tracks shoes all over the internet, brings them to you, allows you multiple views, and even lets you comparison shop (by price, too!). Especially the links to recent blogs that have similar labels to those you are searching for.

Happy wishlisting! May you receive everything (or anything) that is on your list!