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Friday, February 08, 2008

I Didn't Want To Like It...

Yes, as if you don't know from the quotes on the side bar, I'm one of those gals who HAD to watch Sex & The City every week. I have every season on DVD and there are episodes that I can watch over and over and over again and it still captures my interest for the entire episode. I adore Candace Bushnell's writing and, in my quest and eternal hope that H. would get a CLUE as to how a REAL woman thought, eons ago I lent H. my Season 1 of Sex & The City. (No it didn't help AND his mother thought it was soft core p*rn - go figure.)

When I heard that they were developing Candace's book "Lipstick Jungle" for the small screen and on network tv, I knew that, more than likely as it was *ahem* 'Network Television', it would be watered down but still - classic Candace since it was her overseeing everything. Everyone was touting it as the second coming of "S&TC". Then there was that fall out between Darren Star, producer of S&TC and Candace Bushnell whereby next thing you know each had a show for rival networks - Darren Star with Cashmere Mafia for ABC and Candace Bushnell with Lipstick Jungle for NBC.

Well, c'mon - I mean Darren Star had Patricia Field - the original stylist from S&TC for Cashmere - I'd HAVE to love it, right? Same premise - a gaggle of girlfriends living the high life in NYC. Realistic, no, but then again - how many shows are focused on high powered women - not too many.

I watched a few eps of Cashmere and as it went on, I quickly fell out of like with it. Yes, the story premise is cool, I adored the fashion but the STORY didn't grab me - it was definitely trying to recreate the Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte vibe but sometimes one can try TOO hard, you know. And that was its downfall for me. I didn't race home to see it on the Tivo. I didn't save it to watch again and get fashion inspiration. Truthfully, there was really only one fashion inspiration, maybe two for me but that was it.

Everyone's been yippin' about the competition - Lipstick Jungle - on NBC and I was DETERMINED not to like it. I love Lindsay Price and think she's a fabulous actress since her All My Children days but Brooke Shields - oh lord no. I refused to read/watch any press for it because, inevitably, in interviews you know some tabloid journalist will ask her "How's TomKat and Suri" or something stupid like that and that would absolutely overshadow the concept of the show. And I'd get pissed. And I'd refuse to watch at all or give it a chance -- hey - at least, if anything, I'm honest. I'd harbor annoyance and resentment of some sort. In reality, I'll admit that I was afraid that they would destroy the book. The book I've read a few times and devoured it quickly, enamored with all the characters and what I envisioned they would be in my mind - not a Brooke Shields ensemble cast.

I'm here to admit I watched it last night and, well, you see, ummm, errra, well, like, you know....


I was wrong. I was absolutely dead wrong.


Lipstick Jungle is not a new Sex & The City. Lose that idea, please when you watch it - don't draw similarities or try to compare it - it's its own entity. It was true to the book, imo (which some of those tv critics/journalists might want to read and don't use S&TC as research/reference only). These actresses flushed out the characters so well and the chemistry between all three doesn't even seem forced. It flows. The fashion is impeccable. The storyline - it was a pilot and a bit rough but still, well written. The acting - hell I actually believed that it wasn't Brooke Shields and her Calvins up on the small screen but Wendy Healy, studio head always trying to please everyone. The insecurity and strength was VERY well played and Lindsay Price stole the show with her interpretation of Victory Ford. Kim Raver (formerly of "24") plays the high powered magazine editor Nico Reilly and I thought she did the whole "act with balls" type interpretation of the high powered woman with a touch of humanity.

One final thing - the eccentric billionaire who woos Victory is played by none other than ANDREW MCCARTHY - OH. MY. HOLY. HELL! If anything took me back to the days of Pretty In Pink and wanting to trade places with Molly Ringwald it was last night. That man STILL has it. He really got into the character. And did you see him - seriously. Well take a gander.



Lipstick Jungle, you hooked me. I didn't want to like you, I swear, but I'm a goner.

For those that did NOT get a chance to see it/forgot to set the Tivo/fell asleep or just want to give it another chance - you can download it for free at www.nbc.com/Lipstick_Jungle/ or catch it on the USA network this weekend.

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Posted by Lys :: 5:54 PM :: 1 comments

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Thursday, February 07, 2008

A Thing of Beauty - A Necklace Like Giada's....

I get ALOT of interesting google keywords leading some new visitors here (some of which we'll save for another day of NaBlahBlah365) but one favorite of readers is that Food Network Chef - Giada de Laurentiis.

It's no surprise I use many of her recipes in my cooking and, yes, I want her kitchen - I mean, it's my opinion that she has some of the coolest stuff on her set. It was through Everyday Italian that I learned the wonders of Global Knives, Le Creuset and keeping spices fresh every 6 mo. or so. I learned with the right tools and ingredients - an ordinary dish can be fabulous.

One thing that is interesting is her fashion - more specifically, her necklaces. She wears three floating chains with Diamonds on them (Tiffany - of course) and I always thought they looked elegant. However, I rarely put a CZ on my neck and diamonds, outside of the one necklace I won in the Bahamas on my birthday, are just really not me.

Y'all know I adore D. Celestine Designs and can I say Diana has some jewelry that just rocks my world. It's chic. It's elegant. It's timeless. I got my first piece of D. Celestine jewelry, a pair of filagree & pearl earrings, a few months ago but had my eye on a specific necklace that I said I would get for myself when I hit a certain goal. Knowing that I have a big business/fun trip planned for Philly in a few weeks, no time like the present, right?

Ladies/Gents, may I present the Giada necklace, inspired by Food Network's own Giada de Laurentiis:


I adore this piece. It's FAR from gaudy, sits perfectly at the base of the neck (and has an extender which can be a godsend for us plus size gals!) and just is stunning. It captures the random hitting of the glint of silver much like Giada's necklaces do during a natural shift. Its sterling silver and I have to say, it is one of my favorite go-to pieces. I've been wearing it almost every day this week and I just got it on Friday. It is quite the conversation magnet.

So, if Giada inspires you or you just adore some well made jewelry, why not pop over and get a little somethin' somethin' for yourself for Valentines day from D. Celestine Designs. I can't praise Diana's work high enough. You will NOT be disappointed - Trust!

Also - for those that must have stuff as seen on Everyday Italian, I created a little list on Kaboodle that will be updated as I come across stuff in my shopping travels. You can check it out here. This is for those other googlers that ask "Giada kitchen knives" and "Everyday Italian pot". Those that are looking for stuff related to her clothing or various *ahem* YouTube vids - you are on your own my friends. This isn't that kind of place.

*Giada de Laurentiis Photo courtesy of ErinCooks.com

**Giada Necklace Photo courtesy of D. Celestine Designs

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Posted by Lys :: 7:49 PM :: 2 comments

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Monday, January 28, 2008

The Laptop's Still Striking...

Yeah, Strike Day 2 at the Lys household as the Laptop is on protest. Somehow, I think it is refusing to cooperate because, per Kimmy's suggestion - it was put on a time out and has been so since I started blogging via Blackberry last night. I'm giving it a 2 day cooling off period and then either it powers up and behaves like the good lil' laptop it once was or I'm bringing it to the Laptop Doctor who will make it more painful than it should be (both on my wallet and the 'puter).

In other news, the Contest ended on Friday and *boom* not much of a participation level - but it's all good because ALL four entrants/commenters are getting a copy of Larry Winget's book, "You're Broke Because You Want to Be : How to Stop Getting By and Start Getting Ahead". I think its one of those books that must be read. He offends, sure, but he tells you the truth straight up, no chaser, which is more than I can say for many of the PF authors I've read. It's kinda like a doctor - I tell my doctor - "JUST TELL ME STRAIGHT" I can handle things much better that way. Regarding my finances, he's a finance doctor of sorts and really has made me think "Do I REALLY need that pair of shoes I don't adore" or "Do I REALLY need yet another pot?" (Well, I think I do but don't tell him that.) It's just one of those books that makes you take a good long look at yourself and think about what's going on in your financial world and what YOU can do to make it better - because, seriously, the only one responsible for you and your debt is really you. I can't blame H. solely for the cell phone drama - I should have NEVER put him on my plan to begin with (and should have paid attention when he ran up a $2,000 + cell phone bill in ONE MONTH!). I can't solely blame my student loans on Uncle Sam - I can only handle my bizness and be accountable. This book makes it clear - you are accountable for YOU. So, why not take the advice he doles out and do what you will with it? To those that are getting copies of the book, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it when you are finished.

SO - yeah, uninspired post tonight, but 'sall good. I'll be back blogging with a force by Friday - regardless of laptop strike or not.

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Posted by Lys :: 7:56 PM :: 2 comments

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Sunday, January 20, 2008

Just Because’s First Contest...

Well, in light of people’s (read mine) resolution about getting one’s finance’s in order, I’m giving away 2, count ‘em 2 copies of Larry Winget’s “You’re Broke Because You Want To Be: How To Stop Getting By And Start Getting Ahead”. I read this book and, let me tell you – the review is coming but hot damn. LOVE this guy. He really spells it out for everyone with some sage advice. And I can see why the book hit the top of the charts since its release last week.

SO – with that, leave your best financial tidbit, story and/or goal for 2008 in the comments on THIS THREAD and, come Friday evening, I’ll draw the winning entry via the Randomizer and 2 lucky readers will get a copy of this book along with a lovely additional surprise from yours truly.

So – what’s YOUR best financial tidbit/story or goal?

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Posted by Lys :: 7:13 PM :: 3 comments

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Wednesday, January 16, 2008

IKEA + Lys = Anxiety Attack

I went to the new IKEA Tuesday night hoping that after the holiday, it wouldn't be as crowded.

That was NOT the case. I guess one should get an instruction manual on what to expect because if I HAD known, I most certainly would have either (a) ordered from the catalog, or (b) went somewhere else.

I'm going to disclose something but, before I do, please make sure that you are sitting down and not drinking something (because I don't want you to, god forbid, choke or spit out whatever you are sippin' on at the monitor).

I can't shop in huge stores.

I know, I know. I'm letting down shopinsitas everywhere. I'm ashamed to say it - but I just can't do big azz Home Depot-esque stores. Nor can I do crowded stores. I'm fond of stores with set aisle patterns, some sense of order and things that make sense.

IKEA does not do any of the above. See - I went in and they gave me a "map". The map did NOTHING to help me - not. at. all. I go up to the showroom and wander and, I have to say, I felt like a rat in a maze trying to find the way out. Round and round and round I went only to find myself back by the futons. And, often when I turned there were college kids hanging out, making out, just in the damn way (who the HELL wants to hang out at IKEA with their friends?? Isn't there a bar that they might want to drink, shoot darts or a game of pool and yap their evening away or was that just what my friends and I did in college?) I got frustrated, flustered and annoyed - which I can easily achieve when I'm uncomfortable.

So I finally find my way out of many of the little rooms and head downstairs and we're back in more mazes. More rats wandering - no sense of direction - people walking the wrong way down aisles, cutting off my little wheelie cart that really doesn't wheelie correctly, confronted with aisles and aisles of stuff - which confused me more. Was it a good buy or a p.o.s? Would it stand up for what I wanted or should I just put it back? Again with the confusion. Again with the frustration. Anger is starting to simmer.

So, I attempt to find a sales clerk because really what I want are these shoe boxes - that's what I came in for. But no matter HOW many times I go through the home organization part, they can't be found. Anywhere. There are things that hang up on curtain rods but no front opening Komplement Shoe Boxes. To top it off, there are no sales clerks to be found on the floor. At. All. None. Nada. Nil. Finally, out of the corner of my eye I spot a yellow shirt - wait - help is coming. Then I hear the annoyed tone from yellow shirt boy as he tells a customer next to me also feeling confused and befuddled "Listen - I don't know where anything in the store is. I don't work at this store normally. You'll have to check". More confusion. More bewilderment. Anger is now reaching a slow boil.

My father tells me "Use the computer". Fine - sure. See my dad is well versed in all things IKEA. He gets it. I don't. He's up north - I'm in Florida - I'm on my own - out of the nest and heading in a downward spiral. I look around confused, bewildered and befuddled. Wait - up there - it's a computer. And as I get there, I'm derailed again as there are more teenagers goofin' off and not leaving the computer. Still no shoeboxes. I'm well past confusion. I'm far from bewildered. The anger is rising to a rapid boil.

I think "Forget this crap!" and get ready to check out - figuring that either they (a) didn't have the shoe boxes or (b) I'm blind, dumb and stupid, but pretty much am counting on (a). I head to the checkout counter which is ablaze with lights thinking "Well I'll ask the checkout person and THEY can point out the boxes or perhaps they can be so kind and bring 'em over - cuz I'm lost" I pretty much was hopeful that they would be nice as the people in Home Depot who are trained to spot the Lil' Blond Girl Lost aka moi. Then I notice something. There are 2 girl on register. 2. That's it. With a store full of people and you got two gals checkin' customers out? Then I see all these register lights that are also lit and notice the sign for "SELF CHECKOUT". Well I obviously can't ask my damn self where the hell the shoe boxes are. I tried that. I didn't know the answer. I don't work at that store and I can't tell myself where anything is. All I need is a yellow shirt and a paycheck and I'm as good as all the other store employees - and I have the matching attitude.

I check out and I should have guessed I went to the wrong girl. Anyone who greets my cart with a labored sigh due to my minimal amount of stuff (teal curtains, 2 stainless bowls, a mortar & pestle and some organizers for my casually strewn about Bon Appetit and Cooking Light Magazines) is an indicator that we're gonna have issues. I'm sorry - was I supposed to self checkout. Whatever. Now the anger is at the boiling point and dammit I want my *#*@*@*#* shoe boxes. Because this is the LAST time I'm coming in this store at all.

When I ask the girl about the shoe boxes and even give her the ITEM NUMBER to see if they have it in the computer, she sighs again. She asks me if I asked a floor person. I tell her the only guy I saw and how his stressed demeanor and rantings that he didn't work at this store and he doesn't know where anything was pretty much discounted him from the helpful category. Another sigh and she picks up the phone - all while scanning my items. Surprise surprise - noone in home organization picks up - he's probably running around like a rat in a cage - like us all. She tries another extension and after talking with someone on the other line with "I have a customer here and she wants Item No. !!!!.!!.!!!! - where is it?", she gets off the phone. She completes the sale and then tells me "You have to go upstairs - it's in one of the displays in the showroom". What. The. @#*@. Are you flippin' serious - you are going to throw me BACK in that hell? Oh hell to the naw. You know my response: "You aren't seriously going to make me go BACK up there and try to find this needle in a haystack?" and she said that was what I had to do. I smiled nicely and said "Well then - let's just get this taken care of because I think I'm done with IKEA. We're breaking up". She shrugged her shoulders and I rang out.

Oh - and the stuff I bought - still in my trunk because after I have a couple aspirin in me from the headache that crap brought on - I'm bringing it all back and telling the manager what is wrong with the IKEA in Orlando - let me count 'em for ya:
  • Crappy customer service;
  • No sales help on the sales floor;
  • Those that are on the sales floor don't know where stuff is - don't want to help customers and couldn't be bothered;
  • Items that are "On display in the showroom" are NOT downstairs in the general marketplace - makes no sense;
  • The showroom is too cramped and gives off a claustrophobic feel with the different rooms. Seriously I don't need to see back to back 500 sq. ft. apartment layouts. Perhaps that's good in New York - NOT Orlando;
  • No management staff on hand or available;
  • Item quality of some items leaves some considerable room for improvement;
  • Really horrible customer service - I can't stress that enough.
Listen - I know it was a big deal that Orlando got an IKEA. I'm sure Buddy Dyer is hoping that rings in a few more votes on January 29th because he's such a good mayor, he brought in IKEA. I just don't get IKEA. If they are like this in Orlando - what does that say for IKEA in, I dunno - Anchorage. I know Reese and Michelle understand IKEA and it baffles me that someone as seasoned in shopping as me has a near anxiety attack while lost in that store with no semblance of direction - not even a kid in a candy shop - more like a kid lost, left alone at the arena with no parent to be found. And I'm still upset about it - and I'm still disappointed. They talked it up like IKEA was like the second coming - this fabu store that would just do wonders for Orlando. What I saw was a store with some nice stuff, some crappy stuff, some junky stuff - and signs for meatballs everywhere. Oh and a Swedish grocery. But what does that really do for me - nothing. And all I wanted were shoe boxes.

I've failed you - my shopping buddies - and for that I'm sorry. I thought I could handle IKEA and clearly I couldn't. But I did redeem myself. As I had exactly 22 minutes left - I shot over to Millenia because dammit, I needed good shopping mojo. A quick fondle of the Louboutin and Chanel shoes at Neimans and a quick run through Williams Sonoma and all was right with the world.

Well, until I have to brave IKEA tomorrow to return everything. Lesson learned. Lys + IKEA = NON-MIXY THINGS!

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Posted by Lys :: 12:01 AM :: 2 comments

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