Aug
31
I’m a bit of a movie theatre addict. Not just a movie fan, but a movie THEATRE fan. I love movie theatres — the popcorn, the fountain pop, the Coming Soon posters (I’m someone who hates missing the previews), the teenagers in Uggs in the middle of summer, the discretely awkward first dates. All of it. But mostly I love the quiet. My favourite thing is going to the movies all alone, to revel in the quiet. In university, I used to disappear for hours at a time to go to the movies, just to spend a few hours without the craziness of residence. Weird, I know, but I don’t care. Me + the movies = love.
Movies also have the power to change me — in that moment, anyway. Harry Potter makes me want to be Hermione (she’s the brains behind the operation, if you ask me). Waitress had me looking up pie recipe after pie recipe. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist made me want to go home and hit up iTunes for every song I’ve ever liked, ever.
I saw three movies this weekend — ridiculous, I know — and was three for three. I’m the queen of the romantic comedy, though, so you probably shouldn’t take my word for it that Post-Grad was any good (it was very sweet). I saw (500) Days of Summer next and thought it was great; it definitely wasn’t as predictable as I expected. But Julie and Julia took the top of my own personal box office. Meryl Streep was phenomenal. I left the theatre wanting to make a string of pearls and a souffle. In that order. You can’t make the souffle without the pearls. It also made me want to convince Blaine to grow a tiny moustache a la Stanley Tucci. Something tells me that won’t be happening.
But most of all, it made me want an apron. Blaine and I have started devoting a couple of evenings a week to trying new recipes, so I need an apron. I’ve been googling all day to find a pattern that I love, an apron that I could whip up quickly. I haven’t found it yet, but I’m going to. And when I do, you’ll be the first to know. If you have any tips, send me a message. I’m still basking in the glow of Julia’s boeuf bourguignon and will not likely be distracted from the search for the perfect apron until I find it.
I really should see action flicks more often. It would be so much easier to avoid the inspiration (seriously, I’ve never once wanted to be a secret service agent or casino scammer).
Aug
31
We’re still waiting for results of the CT scans. We made it through the weekend — the rainy, stressful, anxiety-sodden weekend. Friday was Complete Meltdown Day, as if there’s anything productive about sobbing on my bed and asking my husband (and the universe) “Why does it have to be this hard??” Neither of them gave me a satisfactory answer.
Saturday was Exhausted and Depressed Day, but by Sunday we had kind of found our groove of Denial and Distraction.
Now we’re mostly in the Numb and Calm stage, with a little glimmer of Hopeful and Determined: today I woke up to a sunny day and found that I actually believe that whatever the CT scans show, we will just take it in stride as best we can and get on with the business of beating this horrible thing.
Which is not to say that I’m done with crying and asking impossible questions of the universe and my husband, but for the moment, no news is simply no news. For the moment, as far as I’m concerned the cancer hasn’t colonized any new bodily territories and the neck lumps haven’t pushed their evil lebensraum campaign too terribly far. And that’s good enough to get me through one more night.
The other day I ordered take out at my favourite place in Little India on Gerrard St. East in Toronto. It’s a Pakistinian restaurant called Lahore Tikka House http://www.lahoretikkahouse.com/. I never drink pop but can’t resist trying new things. It’s called Limca and it’s apparently very popular in India. It’s light lemon-lime flavour was a great match with the spicy curry. This soda might be hard to find but I suggest any citrus flavoured pop (such as Fresca or Limonata) next time you have curry. It’s lightly carbonated and has a refreshing flavour that made the heavy dishes feel lighter.
It’s probably not an understatement to say that my life wouldn’t be the same without Google. I use the search engine to find everything, from the crucial (international news, studies and statistics, weather reports) to the, uh, not-so-crucial (song lyrics, the cleanest public washrooms in Toronto).
So, if I had to estimate, I’d say that it’ll take less than a week before I’m utterly reliant on this new Google service I just discovered:
Dial 1-800-GOOG-411 from any phone and the friendly automated voice on the other end will search Google for you, right on the spot. When I called and asked for a walk-in clinic in Toronto, it named the top eight results and connected me for free. (And if you’re calling from a cell phone and you say “Text message” after you choose a location, the service will send you a text message with more details, including a phone number or a map.)
My friends will especially love this. No more calls from me, asking, “Are you near a computer? Can you Google something for me?”
Aug
31
Misbehaving bra straps, deodorant malfunctions and dog hair are a part of my hectic, everyday life….It’s those little things that take you from looking fabulous to horribly unkempt in a matter of seconds.
So I rounded up a few of my wardrobe tips and tricks that will make you look put together no matter what morning mishaps occur.
These Miss Oops products were practically made for busy women on the go.
To prevent wardrobe malfunctions ala Janet Jackson:
Miss Oops Mishap Tape, $6.
This double-sided tape is a real life-saver and if you’ve never tried it you’re missing out. Not only a stylists trick, I bring it on road trips because you just never know when you’ll need it. Stick it to your bra to keep a plunging neckline in place, tape your straps together or for a dress that just won’t stick to your strapless bra – and voila! Instant hold. Love this stuff and you should invest in some if you haven’t already.
To get you out of a messy situation:
Miss Oops Rescue Sponges, $8.
These little sponges are truly essential. If you love black as much as I do you’ll know that no matter what deodorant you use it inevitably gets on your outfits. So instead of struggling with a washcloth and wetting your outfit (leading to the subsequent blowdrying which just adds time to your routine) you can try out these sponges. You don’t need to wet them and they’ll brush off the offending mark. They can even be used to get rid of makeup on your collar.
For those with furry friends:
Miss Oops Lint Rollers, $6. (and refill.)
I am constantly amazed at how my puppy’s hair gets everywhere. I’ll find it in my food, in my purse and all over my black leggings if I so much as look at her. She’s a cute blond lab but seriously, her hair is a nightmare for us LBD lovers.
But ah, the beloved lint roller. These mini ones are perfect for keeping in your car, at the office or even if your purse. They’ll roll away all the pet fur in a snap so you look put together, not like you just came out of a petting zoo.
–Kate Daley
