the girly network

What's the fun in having sore muscles?

I asked Ruddy (hubby) this morning if he got the license plate number to the truck that ran me over.  Seriously, that's how I feel...banged-up.  For the first time in about a year, I worked out.  Do you consider yoga a workout?  Let me tell you...if you could feel how sore I am right now...you wouldn't question it.  My arms must weigh about 30 lbs each today and there are bones in my back that I didn't know existed.  The instructor had me doing headstands, shoulder stands, vinyasas and all sorts of bindings I forgot I could do.

I was dreading this feeling all along...but I know that if I stick to the plan (getting back into shape)...my mind and body will feel 100 times better.  Looking good and saying goodbye to flabby arms will just be a great by-product.  Wait...let me not lie...you know summer is around the corner and having cute arms ala Michelle Obama is at the top of my priority list.  Whatever it takes girlies...whatever it takes.

Something to make you smile

This video about this dorky guy, Matt, dancing all over the world makes me smile.  There's something sweet and yet powerful about traveling to all these wonderful places...and just dancing...without a care in the world.  Enjoy it!

The Fashion Winners are...

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Where was the glitz and glamour at last night's Oscars?  I was underwhelmed with the gowns at this year's Oscars.  I didn't care too much for the multi-layers (Miley Cyrus, just plain wrong and not age appropriate), poofy skirts and corsets that caused unattractive spillage (Sarah Jessica Parker) or the bridal gowns (Jessica Biel).  And the tip of the iceberg of wrong looks happening to great people...was Sofia Loren.  Who told her she looked good in that yellow ruffled gown?  Seriously...I'm no fashionista, but that person should be fired for lying!

Here are 4 of my favorite ladies who lit up the red carpet:

Angelina Jolie --I crown her the fashion queen of the Oscars 2009...with NO competition.  Her black strapless (Elie Saab Couture) gown was classic and simple...and those huge emerald rocks were jaw-dropping, without being gaudy.  She looked stunning!  Does she ever get it wrong? 

Freida Pinto --She may be the new kid to Hollywood, but yesterday she made it clear she's here to stay. Pinto's bright smile and this vibrant cobalt blue John Galliano gown made her pop on the red carpet.  She just sparkled.

Natalie Portman --The lilac color (Rodarter gown) was a great choice...it was refreshing to see a young lady looking her age.  She was modern and relevant.  I liked the pleats too.

Tina Fey -- Funny girl glammed it up in this silver gown.  I don't necessarily look to Fey for fashion guidance...but yesterday, she could've schooled more than one star.  She looks curvy in all the right places.

These are my top 4.  BTW, I think Halle Berry deserves an honorable mention for her gown.  She always looks breath-taking.  That's how black & gold should be worn...I wasn't a big fan of Beyonce's take on that combo.  Who was your favorite?

Congrats Penélope!

I'm sure España is doing head stands today in Penélope Cruz's honor. She deserved the Oscar for all her hard work throughout the years. I'm a fan...so I couldn't be happier for her. Congratulations!

And the Oscar goes to...

As the winner of last year's Oscar pool (a whopping 50 bucks), my picks may not be that far off.  Here's who I'm rooting for...and hopefully the jackpot will be mine again.

Best Supporting Actor
Heath Ledger -The Dark Knight
Why?  This one needs no explanation.

Best Supporting Actress
Penélope Cruz -Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Why?  Cruz is under-rated in Hollywood...granted, she hasn't been able to show-off her skills the way she's done in Pedro Almodóvar's indie flicks.  I think Woody Allen gave her more visibility with this role and she was amazing playing a crazy woman.  I believed her!  I know she's not the favorite, but I will be holding my breath for her.

Best Actor
Sean Penn –Milk
Why? I was a little bit torn on this one because of all the hype around Mickey Rourke.  In a character driven movie like The Wrestler, Rourke was excellent.  And then…there’s the back story…of how this movie about a washed up wrestler mirrors the washed up actor that has already made a great comeback.   It’s all very fairytale-like…but I have to go with my gut instinct on this one.  When I walked out of Milk, I said to myself… “This is Sean Penn’s year” (and this was way before the nominations were announced).  He was great!  I think he had a bigger challenge in playing a real character…he had to be true to Mr. Milk…and I think he accomplished that.  Go Sean!

Best Actress
Kate Winslet –The Reader
Why?  Hands down…Kate Winslet deserves this Oscar for all the phenomenal work she’s done this year (Revolutionary Road included) and in years past.  When I think of her…I see an actress that will follow Meryl Streep’s footsteps (a super talented lady who will transport you to places you never thought you’d go).  I’m also rooting for her because she genuinely seems humble and surprised after earning all the accolades.

Best Picture
Slumdog Millionaire
Why? The grand prize will go to the little movie that could…it’s my favorite…and I’m not alone.  You’ll see.  Also, in these gloomy times...I feel like it's the only movie that gives you some sort of hope.  There's light at the end of the tunnel.

UPDATE: I won the Oscar pool again!  I now have bragging rights... and I'm 150 bucks richer.

Tory Burch presents...

Fonzworth Bentley, Tory Burch and Kanye West                                                              GR for the girly network               

...her Fall 2009 collection and Extra sent me there to field produce it. Check out the behind-the-scenes NY Fashion Week video I shot with the Kyte camera. Now...I don't claim to be a videographer...but not bad for a novice, huh?

Fine...well I'm glad my photography skills are a little better. 

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This fall, Burch will kick-off her ballet slippers and trade them for combat boots.  In a tough economy, the petite designer says accessories are key...and it's obvious she had that in mind when putting this collection together. 

Here's what stood out for me:
1. Combat boots...with mostly every outfit.  I like how she mixed them with girly dresses and tailored skirts.  Her pieces definitely flatter a woman's body...and they feel fresh and contemporary.

2. Lots of dark solids....browns, golds, blacks.  My favorite was this eggplant color she used on several items, including the dress photographed below.  She also has these cool velvety purple platforms...that I loved.

3. Burch included these cool camouflage leggings (see photo below).  When I say cool...I mean...to see them on the model.  Leggings are not meant to be worn by everyone...including this girly, that's for sure. 

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Overall, Burch's presentation was nothing like the typical tent shows at Bryant Park...this had a more laid back vibe.  The designer hosted her show in a smaller venue (Prince George Ballroom, NYC) that had a lounge feel to it...and it felt intimate. They set-up a platform in the middle of the room and you could walk around to be able to appreciate all the different looks.  Among the admirers in attendance: Kanye West, LL Cool J, Amanda Bynes and Kim Raver.

Bobbi Brown @ NY Fashion Week

I'm digging the bold lip.  Thoughts?

'The Glass Castle'

 Beware...once you open The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, you're not going to be able to put it down.  It's a compelling autobiographical story about how the author learned, at a very young age, the true meaning of "survival of the fittest".  She overcame extreme poverty, hunger, neglect, child abuse and...the list goes on and on. 

Walls shares some very disturbing anecdotes about her childhood.  She tells you, in a neutral-tone, what it was like to live with a delusional mother and an alcoholic father.  It's up to the reader to come up with her/his own conclusions.  It broke my heart to learn that she and her siblings had to rummage through dumpsters to find something to eat, while her mother sat at home because she simply didn't want to work.  Her father drank away the little money they had, equally contributing to their dire situation.  In their twisted "parenting" ways, they did one thing right...they instilled a love for books and knowledge.  What's really inspiring about Walls' story is that despite or because of her background...she's been able to accomplish so much for herself.  It's amazing to see her optimism and lack of resentment.  In the midst of such turmoil, her spirit was bruised, but never broken.

Valentine's Day...a fake holiday?

"Valentine's Day is a made-up holiday.  It's a marketing tool to get people to buy things", that's what my dad used to say every Feb 14th when I would inquire about my mom's MIA flowers.  I don't doubt that he believes that...but it was also his way to get away with not buying anything for my mom.  My dad is....thrifty.  I guess after 43 years of marriage...it no longer phases my mother.

I personally think there's some truth to my dad's philosophy...but please don't tell Ruddy.  My husband is not the type to make a big deal about any holidays, including his birthday...but over the years, he's learned to play along.  If he doesn't want to see a face of disappointment or a look of death, he better come through...with at least a card.  I don't think I ask for a lot. 

Do I think Valentine's is a fake holiday?  Here's my thought on that: who cares if it is...or it isn't.  I don't see anything wrong with dedicating a day to love...and friendship.  I actually think it's kinda sweet to take the time to acknowledge...even if it's just in thought...the important people in your life.  So, phony or not...sign me up for the hugs, kisses, cards, flowers...and anything else you want to send my way.  Happy Valentine's Day.

big apple, crowded living

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My neighbor, Millie, watches NY1 in the morning and HBO's Big Love at night. She's also gotten pretty sick this winter, some nights coughing up a lung...non-stop through-out the night.  How do I know all of this?  No, I'm not stalking her...just blame it on the super thin sheetrock that separates our apartments.

I've lived most of my life in an apartment setting, so I guess I should be used to it by now.  Our last apt in the Bronx was actually worst. Our next door neighbors were these 2 young roommates, lovely girls...but they loved to blast bachata for all their predominantly Irish/Italian neighbors to hear.  I can appreciate some Aventura...just not at outrageous decibels.  Thin walls or not...it was downright deafening...I couldn't hear myself think. So the cops occasionally payed them a visit. Then there was the young couple (early twenties) who lived directly below us. When they first moved in, they had a pretty consistent schedule...loud sex around 11pm, even wilder moaning around 3am and morning fornication around 7am.  Ruddy and I secretly hated them for several reasons...a) They were waking us up in the middle of the night...and we were sleep deprived because of them  b) We couldn't compete...who could?  Here's our theory...that they had just moved in together and it was their honeymoon phase. I think we were right because the madness stopped after a month and they transitioned to a more reasonable schedule...if you know what I mean.

NYC dwelling is not easy when you're in an apt with thin walls...which is more the rule than the exception. So, why do we choose to live on top of each other, crunched in such tight quarters?  I have to admit that I would do it again...and again...if it meant I had access to the greatest city in the world.  Maybe I'm biased because this is my place of birth...but there's such energy and vibrancy and life here...that I find it hard ever leaving it.  So, until we can afford to buy a house in the big apple, it looks like Millie and I will just have to learn to co-exist.