Hump Day Reflections!

The giant Buddha head has been replaced by the head of a gorgeous hunk.  Doesn't change my mind in wanting to place our own giant Buddha head in the backyard, beneath a tree, but I appreciate this one just the same.

Book Talk!

I mentioned last week I brought two books with me that I intend to read and leave with my family.  I finished Tarquin Hall's The Case of the Missing Servant and loved it.  The mystery was interesting and left me guessing until the very end.  Add into the mix how well Hall put me back in India with the food, smells, and tangible surroundings along with introducing me to how the legal system works - or doesn't - and I've already placed the second book, The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing, on my list for Christmas!

All was looking good and then I bought two books for me [actually for research purposes, really] when I went to the local independent to get one for my niece.  Are you seeing how I ended up with so many books and no place to put them all led me to donating over 3000 to our local library sale and me becoming mainly an ebook reader?  Anyway, my book purchasing issues were obviously on unstable ground but I was holding firm, and then it was shattered at the Norton Simon Museum.

I picked up the handbook and my sister bought three books sitting on my wish list and already had two others!  Oh man, she is so bad, and yet I envied her for being okay with her book problem and yes, she has one - I would know!  In fact, we'd already discussed how she should go about donating them, and we were going to find a suitable place this coming week.  Anyway, we're both interested in reading about the art world's thefts, hence my chosing to bring Provenance to leave with her to enjoy.

I wonder if she'll notice when I take a few of them back with me and return them later.

UPDATE:  Big sis called on Tuesday morning to inform me that she will pass over the books she'd read and that I don't need to sneak them away.  Love her, but I still want a pic of Lily dressed up as the devil!

Indulging the Art Bug

This weekend I indulged the art bug running rampant inside me and it was a real treat.  We went to the Norton Simon Museum [you'll often see it if you watch the Rose Bowl Parade on New Years Day] and it is a place you might want to add to your must visit list.  Pasadena has changed a great deal since I was last there and yet there are sections that haven't changed since they were first built.

As for the museum itself, you're welcomed by a selection of large pieces - quite a few by Auguste Rodin so you can make your own conclusion about the overly large hand and feet rumors.  There is also a sculpture park out back with a little cafe resting on the edge.  It is a stunning space of serenity and the sculptures dotted around suit the lush green space.  We actually ate some lunch out here and then went inside, 107 was too hot to explore in depth, but I'll go back with the cutie when he comes out.

The pace of the museum is calm and the walls aren't so crowded you can't see and enjoy the variety of periods showcased.

My favorite section has always been the impressionists and I enjoyed spending time with the Edgar Degas The Little Fourteen Year Old Dancer sculpture - the bow was what used to pull me over to it and each time I look at her there's something else that holds my attention.  This time it was her posture.  She's a very secure and confident fourteen year old and I'm curious about how she took that into adulthood.

On six or seven other pedestals are a selection of sculptures from Degas where he worked out a variety of body positions found in both paintings and larger pieces.  There was one of a dancer with a seriously full skirt [sorry, forgot to take a picture] and I loved to see how he piled on the clay while keeping it feminine to bulk out the frilly underskirt.

There was a beautiful Vincent Van Gogh called The Mullberry Tree and the audio tour offered some very interesting information on it and many others through the museum.

It won't surprise many of you, but two other pieces caught my eye for different reasons, and yet the same.  First was a painting by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo called Satyress with a Putto and the other was a sculpture called A Bacchante Supported by Bacchus and a Faun sculpture by Claude Michel, aka Clodin. The Tiepolo because I hadn't ever seen a "satyress" and, yes, story ideas were exploding in my mind like the 4th of July. 

From taking in this piece I walked into the next room and lit upon the Clodin.  Delicate, yummy in detail, and so close to the next installment in the Mythological Messes Redux series.  Remember?  Cyra's Cyclopes left Filla, the nymph, hanging from a tree with the satyr loving her most wickedly at the bacchanalia?

Oh yes!  It was a lovely day and while I could keep going on about individual pieces and rooms, I won't, it would take too long.  However, what I did and recommend others do as well, is buy the Handbook!  I like revisiting pieces in person, but if I can't, leafing through a museum's collection via a book will often feed the need.

It's that time - Banned Books Week!

"Think for Yourself and Let Others Do the Same" is the slogan for Banned Books Week 2010 and I love it!  The bookmarks, above, say it all.

One of the more surprising entries on the 2009/2010 Banned/Challenged list for me was:

Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by Barbara Ehrenreich
Challenged at the Easton, Penn. School District
(2010), but retained despite a parent’s claim the book promotes “economic fallacies” and socialist ideas, as well as advocating the use of illegal drugs and belittling Christians. Source: May 2010, p. 107.

And then there's the "are you kidding me" entry:

Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Pulled from the Menifee, Calif. Union School District (2010) because a parent complained when a child came across the term “oral sex.” Officials said the district is forming a committee to consider a permanent classroom ban of the dictionary.  Source: Mar. 2010, p. 55.

Two often challenged/banned books considered classics and which deal with difficult subjects were once again on the list:

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Challenged at the Culpeper County, Va. public school (2010) by a parent requesting that her daughter not be required to read the book aloud.  Initially, it was reported that officials have decided to stop assigning a version of Anne Frank’s diary, one of the most enduring symbols of the atrocities of the Nazi regime, due to the complaint that the book includes sexual material and homosexual themes. The director of instruction announced the edition, published on the fiftieth anniversary of Frank’s death in a concentration camp, will not be used in the future despite the fact the school system did not follow its own policy for handling complaints. The remarks set off a hailstorm of criticism online and brought international attention to the 7,600-student school system in rural Virginia.  The superintendent said, however, that the book will remain a part of the English classes, although it may be taught at a different grade level. Source: Mar. 2010, pp. 57–58; May 2010, p. 107.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Removed from the St. Edmund Campion Secondary School classrooms in Brampton, Ontario, Canada (2009) because a parent objected to language used in the novel, including the word “nigger.” Source: Nov. 2009, pp. 203–4.
 
If you want to read the list as published by the ALA [American Library Association] for yourself then go here.  Celebrate the freedom to read what you want and pick up a few of the books, then remember to Think for Yourself!

Friday Funny!

Two young boys walked into a pharmacy one day, picked out a box of tampons and proceeded to the checkout counter.

The man at the counter asked the older boy, "Son, how old are you?"

"Eight," the boy replied.

The man continued, "Do you know what these are used for?"

The boy replied, "Not really, but they aren't for me they're for him. He's my brother. He's four. We saw on TV, that if you use these, you would be able to swim and ride a bike. Right now he can't do either..."

S! Too, too funny!

Book and eBook Talk!

Just because I had a quick turnaround doesn't mean I forgot about reading material and thought I'd share what I have at the ready [and hope to finish].

The Case of the Missing Servant by Tarquin Hall was recommended by a friend of mine and I started it on the plane ride here. Thus far, it's utterly delightful, and I haven't wanted to put it down. Hall brings the reader to India with all the sites, flavors, and chaos. Another paperback I brought and would love to read is Provenance: How a Con Man and a Forger Rewrote the History of Modern Art by Laney Salisbury and Aly Sujo.

Up first on the Touch is April Morelock's Best Little Spin Wash in Texas. Love the title and can't wait to delve into this erotic time travel romance. I also have three ebooks from 28 Days of Heart that I want to read. Remember February over at All Romance there was a book a day released to support the American Heart Association? Well, Tor: Viking Master by Ellen Margret, Sweets by E Cameron Stacy and Private Lies by Cat Johnson have been waiting paitiently and the wait is over!

Mixed into all this pleasure reading will be the last two non-published author contest entries I volunteered to judge.  I really like doing these and even though they take time to be thorough and helpful, giving guidance and kudos is a good way to spend time away from work.

There you go, unless I find something else to add to this selecion and that is totally possible because my family are all readers, that's what I'll be doing when not working, talking, or sleeping.

AAD2010 Update!

WOW!  What a weekend!  Lots happened, both book and party-wise, and I want to put you there to enjoy.

Now, while I took my camera, I didn't take one picture - or don't remember taking any.  At the Masquerade Ball, Selena Illyria and I were talking, and I kept saying I should be taking pics of all the fabulous costumes, but that wasn't enough to get me to go upstairs to get the camera.  I have a good reason though.  I knew I wouldn't make it back down.  And, on top of all that, after unpacking and repacking, I boarded a plane for the left and am embracing my exhaustion.

I know, piled high in my office, is all sorts of goodies I brought back from AAD and will share them with you guys - only after I return.  So, sit tight, a load of books and what not's will soon be up for grabs.

In the meantime, I'll share a few highlights.

First up is Leanna Renee Hieber, author of the Strangely Beautiful saga.  At the Sunday breakfast she shared a wonderful display of fan language from the Victorian era.  Very interesting, complicated, and I think a multitude of potential hookups [loving or otherwise] were mssed by misreading the signs.

The panels were great and informative.  The Going Green and eBooks and Me were helpful, especially hearing readers say they liked having covers for their eReaders signed, and would like it even more if the software and device allowed authors to sign their ebooks.  Very cool ideas.  Military Men was one panel I teared up on and Dahlia Rose is an author who, if you're a military romance lover, gives good story.  The BDSM panel was, well, good fun and Leigh Ellwood finished explaining about a demonstration she saw and started sharing on Twitter!  I sat in the audience for the Steampunk panel and am now thinking of dabbling with a short and see how it feels.

Parties!  Parties!  Parties!  There were loads of them, both for AAD and in rooms [room 696 - Joey Hill's fans who were delightful - rocked].  Our LIP [Love's Immortal Pantheon] Ambrosia and Chocolate party was a blast.  I dipped a rice crispy thing in the fountain of molten goodness and liked it.  Although it could be an addiction of goodness if you're not careful. 

Then there was the vendor room.  OMG!  I'm not sure it was ever quiet in there.  The tattoo artist and the ladies for We've Gotcha Covered were worked to the bone.  The bookseller had all sorts of goodies in there, not just books, and the owner gave me a hint of what might be coming to Philly - oh boy!  One of the best bits about the weekend was that the raffles of authors/publishers baskets raised over $2500.00 for two local animal shelters.  How cool is that!?!

Stella Price worked some serious magic on organizing AAD2010 and yes, I've already marked my calendar to go next year in Philadelphia.

That's all I remember at the moment and will share anything else that comes to mind.  Promise!

Funny Friday!

The Black Bra (as told by a woman)

I had lunch with 2 of my unmarried friends. One is engaged, one is a mistress, and I have been married for 20+ years.

We were chatting about our relationships and decided to amaze our men by greeting them at the door Wearing a black bra, stiletto heels and a mask over our eyes. We agreed to meet in a few days to exchange notes.

Here's how it all went.

My engaged friend
The other night when my boyfriend came over he found me with a black leather bodice, tall stilettos and a mask.  He saw me and said, 'You are the woman of my dreams. I love you.' Then we made passionate love all night long.

The mistress
Me too! The other night I met my lover at his office and I was wearing a raincoat, under it only the black bra, heels and mask over my eyes.  When I opened the raincoat he didn't say a word, but he started to tremble
and we had wild sex all night.

Then I had to share my story
When my husband came home I was wearing the black bra, Black stockings, stilettos and a mask over my eyes. When he came in the door and saw me he said,

"What's for dinner, Zorro?"

OMG! L! This is too funny - thank you!

It's here! It's here!

Finally, Authors After Dark is here!

Friday, I'll be on the SciFi Romance panel, hosting lunch with the rest of the Tease authors, then sitting on the Military Men and E and Me panels.  After dinner, the LIP [Love's Immortal Pantheon] authors are hosting an Ambrosia and Chocolate extravaganza!

Then on Saturday I'm on the Going Green, BDSM and Sexy Shifters panels with the booksigning snuggled nicely in between.

Sunday gift basket raffle results - and there are some seriously great baskets - are announced!

Two great things that I'm thinking about right now are (1) the panels don't start until 10:00am and (2) boxes for the USPS flat rate option are there and ready to help get things home.

Have you ever heard of Wonder Woman Day V?

What about I-IV?

You should because it's a day during October which is national Domestic Violence Awareness month!

Okay, I hadn't heard of it until yesterday, but I think this is a fabulous way to put DVA in the spotlight.  Wonder Woman is a great icon to have stand up for those that need a something more.  There are events with costumed characters and comic creators attending being organized in both Portland, OR and Flemington, NJ on October 24 and a variety of auctions going on throughout the month to raise money for domestic violence shelters and programs.  Comic writer Andy Mangels is the magic behind the day and you can unearth even more details by visiting the Wonder Woman Museum.  I'm sure you'll find something to suit you or maybe family member for the holidays.  By the way, they're kid friendly, so bring the family!

Oh, wait, you want to know what about this day caught my attention?

It was artist David Chelsea's offering for auction and I shall be bidding! 

Venus of Willendorf is gorgeous as Wonder Woman!

I Don't Have a Fetish!

That's what I'm talking about today during Cynnara Tregarth's BDSM Week on Selena Illyria's blog.

Stop by, check it out, and read the other articles as well - it's all very interesting.

http://selenaillyria.com/2010/09/tilly_greene-fetish/

See you there!

Tilly Greene
WARNING! Red hot romances ahead!
http://www.tillygreene.com/

Hot Thoughts Blog|Facebook|Twitter

Book Talk!

When you walk into a bookstore, new to you or the one you always shop at, where do you go first?

Me?  It's the magazines.  I don't know why but if the magazine section sucks then I have a feeling the books will as well.  Now, if there's no magazines at all, it's the kids section.  That is where all the creative reading choices start and I want to see what's on offer.

The other day I went for a gift certificate at a Barnes & Noble I had been to in ages - just that little bit further away.  Checked out the magazine selection and found it to be current with the section in a logical to me order - meaning fashion and gossip were first.  Next stop was the kids section.  It was woeful in the picture and pop-up book offerings, but I found one for my nephew [to go with It's Okay to be a Zombie by Nathaniel Lambert and Danny Evarts] called Library Mouse and another one for me titled The Secret Lives of Princesses.

Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk was a great read with at least two more that I enjoyed reading - yup, I do that to see if they're entertaining and encourage kids to think creatively.  Another thing I look at are the illustrations and that's what drew me to The Secret Lives of Princesses by Philippe Lechermeier and Rebecca Dautremer.  This book is rich in interesting details and images - full of fun and will fulfill every girls dreams [no matter what their age] for strong-minded princesses.

That's right.  No milksops here, these ladies do their own thing!

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the B&N and was thoroughly impressed with the NOOK set-up.

As a side note, went to visit a friend who works at the local Borders, and checked out their eReader setup - looking very good!

Want some hot royal satyr loving?

Then you're in luck because book two in the American Satyr Series by Stella and Audra Price, To Collar and Keep has just been released!

A surrender to the unknown has never been sexier.

Olanis, the summer holiday is upon the Satyr clans once more and it is the time for Harlequin, prince of the Rummer clan, to claim his first and only female, the Grecian Satyr princess Arabella, sight unseen.

Unsure of what kind of woman his clan had brokered for him, he is both interested in the woman that would wear his collar, and nervous that she won’t meet his standards. His female has to rival him in all things, and his hopes of that coming true are slim and none.

Arabella craves two things, finishing her education, and being claimed by her Satyr. An anomaly in the Satyr world, Arabella was afforded opportunities other princesses weren’t. Now, in a foreign land she is given over to the Prince she was promised to, and she couldn’t be more nervous. What's a girl to do when you’re being gifted to a man you have never seen?

Harley is a commodity to the Rummer clan, one that his father plans to exploit regardless of his son’s wishes. When he gives Harley an ultimatum, Harley and Bella have two choices-agree to the terms or rebel.

When sparks fly and new alliances are forged in the Satyr ranks, both Harley and Bella have to decide what it is they want and what kind of future they wish to have. Only together will they succeed, if they can suffer the slings and arrows.

WARNING: This book contains a Satyr prince with unconventional ideas about his princess, a princess with a mind to rival Hawkings, a feral Satyr with a hidden agenda, F/F scenes, polyamory and lots of hot sex.

Naughty Sexy Satyrs! And there's a vontest too! Wanna a Satyr goodie pack? Check Stella and Audra’s bloggy for details!

WHAT FANS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE AMERICAN SATYR SERIES:

Of Crimson and Collars is an extremely erotic and playful story that was a delight to read. I predict that I will be re-reading this one soon and believe you will be too. I will be waiting, impatiently, for my next visit with the American Satyrs. ~ Joyfully Reviewed

A Reviewer Top Pick! Stella and Audra Price work together to bring us a stunning story of domination, submission, demons, satyrs, water nymphs, trickery and lust...I would definitely read anything else they write as this was a most enjoyable read. ~Night Owl Reviews

they have created an erotic world of d/s which does not humiliate, a world where the innocence of the submissive is an engaging power. If you enjoy a book packed full of erotica then this is the book for you. I enjoyed it so much I went back and bought 3 more of there books from a different series. ~Loose Knickers and Window Lickers

This is a book I loved reading and didnt want it to finish so soon. This Satyr world is one I’m going to enjoy getting to know. ~Ramblings of a Book Bitch

YOU CAN BUY TODAY AT TOTAL E BOUND!

Stella Price
Award winning best selling author
http://www.stellaandaudra.com/

BDSM Week is on!

Selena Illyria is hosting Cynnara Tregarth for a week of what is BDSM.

Don't be afraid, head over here, and read all about what does the acronym stand for, women's fantasies with Joey W Hill and Cherise Sinclair on Tuesday, festishes with me [Tilly Greene] on Wednesday, behind the scenes in a BDSM story with Nicole Austin on Thursday, misconceptions with Lena Austin on Friday.

Saturday Melinda Barron will have readers and authors talking about their favorite BDSM and fetish romances and Sunday Cynnara will close it all out with a mini BDSM workshop.

There's some fun stuff to learn!

Remember, go here everyday, and read up on BDSM.

Friday Funny!

As the bus stopped and it was her turn to get on, she became aware that her skirt was too tight to allow her leg to come up to the height of the first step of the bus.

Slightly embarrassed and with a quick smile to the bus driver, she reached behind her to unzip her skirt a little, thinking that this would give her enough slack to raise her leg. She tried to take the step, only to discover that she couldn't.

So, a little more embarrassed, she once again reached behind her to unzip her skirt a little more, and for the second time attempted the step.

Once again, much to her chagrin, she could not raise her leg. With a little smile to the driver, she again reached behind to unzip a little more and again was unable to take the step.

About this time, a large Texan who was standing behind her picked her up easily by the waist and placed her gently on the step of the bus.

She went ballistic and turned to the would-be samaritan and yelled, 'How dare you touch my body! I don't even know who you are!'

The Texan smiled and drawled, 'Well, ma'am, normally I would agree with you, but after you unzipped my fly three times, I kinda figured we was friends.'

OMG! S! You saucy chick and thank you for the laugh!

Are you obsessed with the right things?

This is what a set of ads in Singapore for the Breast Cancer Foundation are asking and I think they are a hoot with a great message!

There are two more posters here.  Check them out, snicker, and then check yours breasts!

Catch-up Me Time!

Okay, August was the first time in years the cutie and I spent the majority of a month at home, and we totally relaxed. However, some of the movies we watched through Netflix weren't the ones I've been dying to see [like Year One], and I finally had a day to think about just me.

The cutie is away on business and I didn't have the time to go, so caught up on 7 weeks of Top Chef: Washington DC [really wanted Tiffany to win because she kept her calm and cooked without breaking a sweat or getting nasty - now I'll be rooting for Ed]. After that I watched The Last Station which is a film about Leo Tolstoy and his last days. I cried at the end hating some of the people around him and adoring James McAvoy's characters decision to turn towards love. Then came some of the US Open - tennis and am delving back into Linda Fairstein's Bad Blood [picked this up over the 4th of July and have only managed to pick it up for a chapter here and there since then].

There will be little time for reading over the next couple of weeks, chaos shall be decending. I need to finish a synopsis and revamp a couple of short story submissions all while pulling things together for AAD [September 17-19].

Do you have loads to catch up on as well?

Book Talk!

At the end of the month [September 23-25] is the biennial Moveable Book Society Conference in Portland, OR and  if I could attend, I would, however, I can place my vote for the Meggendorfer Prize.

Nope, not going to tell you which one I voted for, but I will tell you about the prize and past winners.

First of all the prize is named after Lothar Meggendorfer [1847-1925], a German illustrator and writer known for great pop-ups, and is awarded for outstanding paper engineering to the paper engineer who has published the outstanding pop-up or movable book in the two preceding years.  Two years worth of pop-up/moveable books is a hard grouping to narrow down to just one, but past winners have been:

1996 - New Brunswick - no award

1998 Los Angeles - Robert Sabuda - The Christmas Alphabet


2000 New York - Robert Sabuda - Cookie Count

2002 Milwaukee - Robert Sabuda - The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

2004 San Diego - Andrew Baron - Knick-Knack Paddywhack!

2006 Chicago - David Carter - One Red Dot

2008 Washington, D.C. - Matthew Reinhart - Star Wars
 
I have had two fan-girl moments in my life and they were meeting David Carter at BEA [signed my ARC - advanced reader copy in this case which is a single pop-up - of One Red Dot] and Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart at a book event [Great Read in the Park] in Bryant Park [signed my copy of Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs: The Definitive Pop-Up].

Who knows who will win this year because the list is full of gems, but whoever does, I recommend you gift one to someone this holiday season!

Soon to be released pop-ups that are on my list to check out are:

Frankenstein by Sam Ita [TODAY!]
Renaissance Art by David Hawcock [October 5]
Beauty and the Beast by Robert Sabuda [October 19]
Aesop's Fables  by Kees Moerbeek [October 26]
A Christmas Carol by Chuck Fischer [November 10]

Paranormal Romance Short Story Contest!

Authors wanted for All Romance's Just One Bite Short Story Contest! We are very excited about this contest. Thirty-two of the short stories submitted will be deemed "Semi-Finalists" and released onto the AllRomance.com and OmniLit.com websites on October 1, 2010.

Readers will vote for their favorite short stories during 5 rounds of voting with the field being narrowed at the end of each round. The first prize winning author will receive $1000 US. The second prize winning author will receive an 8GB iPod Touch. The third prize winning author will receive a $100 eBook Bucks Gift Certificate redeemable either at AllRomance.com or OmniLit.com.

Submissions will be accepted between September 1 and September 28, 2010. Each title must be an original, never before published paranormal romance work between 2,500 and 3,000 words and will be marketed exclusively by All Romance/OmniLit. Authors can access the submissions forms via this page http://www.allromanceebooks.com/submissions.html. Authors need to complete all fields to the best of their ability at the time of submission. I'll be the Editor-In-Charge for the Contest and will lead the committee that will make the final decision on September 30 as to which submissions will be chosen as the Semi-Finalists. Stories selected as one of the 32 will be released for voting on October 1.

Authors should keep in mind that we will not be editing these manuscripts. They must have them edited PRIOR to submission.

We anticipate having more wonderful stories than we have slots for. If a story is not chosen as a Semi-Finalist, rights will be returned. Questions about the Contest can be directed to me at:

cat.johnson@allromanceebooks.com

Thanks again for your interest!


Cat Johnson

That was for authors, now for the readers:  October is looking to be a month full of suprises!

Friday Funny

A very proper man started going into the neighborhood drug store every week and buying 2 dozen boxes of condoms. Week after week, he would come in with the same order. One day, the druggist felt he had to say something to the man. "Wow! You must have the stamina of a bull. Talk about getting lucky! How on earth do you use that many condoms a week?"

The man looked at him in disgust and said, "I beg your pardon, but I find the whole idea of sex repulsive!"

So, the druggist asked, "Then what do you do with all those condoms?"

The gentleman answered, "I feed them to my poodle and now she poops in little plastic bags.

HA! Isn't S fabulous! She sends me into fits of laughter almost everyday - big hugs darlin'!

Another Hamburger Tried

Recently Zagats said the Five Guys burger was the best and it tweeked my curiosity.

Not too long after that news came out, the cutie and his friends went out to lunch so he could test the waters for me - or so he said. He loved it and even went so far as to say I would as well. Then he crossed the line when he claimed it might even have been better than Ruby's and Fatburger.

Gasp!

Them's fighting words and when we found one was near the hotel we stayed at for Context, I said I try one and would keep an open mind.

My verdict is that the Five Guy burger is not up to snuff.

Maybe it was a new establishment [felt like it] and maybe it was how they did things, but I wasn't ready to start frequenting them when the need for a good burger takes over my tummy.

What went wrong? I happen to like mayonaisse on my burgers and this one was swimming in it, not how I like it done. The fries weren't cooked, although I liked that they had the salt and vinegar thing going.

I'll be heading back to the left of us soon and yes, I'll be visiting Ruby's, Fatburger, Husky Boys and maybe try to fit in a In-n-Out burger as well. That should tied me over for a bit.

Mutterings from a Fashion Lover

Okay, I didn't plan ahead and missed the Emmy's Fashion parade, but I've been looking through the various pics to find some favorites.

Apparently the textured blacks drew my attention because I liked Kelly Osborne [in Tony Ward], Eva Longoria [in Robert Rodriguez], Susan Surandon [in Donna Karan] and Tina Fey [in Oscar de la Renta].  Mariska Hargitay [in Vera Wang] and Christina Hendricks [in Zac Posen] wore soft colors and looked good, as did Jayma Mays [in Burberry Prorsum] wearing navy.  Gugu Mbatha-Raw [to the right] had a beautiful gown by Ina Soltani which had a textured bodice - the dress was wonderful.  White was popular and Amber Riley [in Melissa Masse] pulled it off with style.  Now, while I'm not always a fan of the Greek Goddess look, Rose Byrne [in Gucci] did it very well - hair down to shoes!

There were a few disappointments for me as well.  While I adore Alexander McQueen's out there fashion sense and wish he were still here creating, I don't think Anna Paquin managed to pull it off.  Neither did Sofia Vergera in wearing Carolina Herrera.  Heidi Klum is gorgeous but the Marchesa was just too short.

Now for my favorite gown of the night was...January Jones in Atelier Versace!
Unfortunately, because it's different, Jones and the dress were panned but I don't really care what the fashion mongrels are saying - I love it!

The color is exciting, the pseudo peacock thing is fresh, the cut - short in the front and out to a train in the back is fabulous!  The material was acted almost like sequences.  Yes, this dress was a gem, and this woman works without a stylist!  Go January Jones!

The downside for me on this one was her hair, could of done something a little more wowish, but then again that may have dispatched the old fashion elitists to their graves.