Category Archives: Poetry

Totally True Confessions Tuesday

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Slim Paley photo

A little visual sorbet to soften the following photo

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So, I left  Las Vegas perhaps a little lighter of pocket but feeling just a wee bit better about my body image.

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Slim Paley Photo

Can you believe I got this photo?  The Sartorialist is going to be so jealooos!

I suspect the poor sales associate in Louis Vuitton would not have been smiling like that if she’d had the pleasure of this back view…

I admit, I did feel a tad guilty about snapping it- Twas only the deep dedication I have to my readers that guided my finger to the button, and the fact that her boyfriend seemed perfectly happy with the view.

And while we’re on the subject of guilt…

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I had one of these while I was shopping in Vegas.  The powers of the Fast Food kiosks were simply too strong to resist

When was the last time you had a good old fashioned Dairy Queen chocolate dipped ice cream cone?

For me it was decades, but boy it was GOOOOOD!

The trick is to bite off the swirl right before it hardens- Heaven.

And since I seem to have saddled up to the confessional window on this beautiful Tuesday, I might as well go Full Monty and confess to a few more of my heavily weighing sins…

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Poetry

- I read the New Yorker poetry for all the wrong reasons

- I really don’t like the poetry of Anne Sexton or Sylvia Plath either.

Oh sure, I pretended to when I was a teenager or maybe I wasn’t pretending, perhaps I really did like them then…

nah, I was faking it.

What a couple of whinging Debbie Downers those two were.

Anytime your angst makes Dorothy Parker look like a Motivational Coach it might be time to up the visits to your therapist, or put down the cigarette and take a walk in the garden.

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I can’t even hear the words “The Bell Jar” without rolling my eyes now.

Music

-OK, this one is kind of embarrassing;  I hate Jazz music. There, I said it.

That riff-y, Miles Davis, Jazz-Fusion, totally making it up as they go along Jazz? Aargh- instant headache. It seems totally Emperor’s New Clothes to me.

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If Sawyer from Lost asked me to go to a Jazz club I wouldn’t go.

-Here’s another confession;  That was a total lie.

I’d so go to a Jazz club with Sawyer,  jauntily tilted beret, capri pants and black flats in two seconds.

I’d even smoke if need be.

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Bob Dylan??? OMG- just kill me now.

OK, I get that his lyrics were great for the time, blah, blah, blah, but seriously? I don’t get it.

I’d rather go to a Grateful Dead concert and believe me, that’s saying something.

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Movies



-I’ve never seen “Saving Private Ryan”.

I know it’s a totally brilliant film, and I adore Tom Hanks,  but I’ve always been too afraid of the scary war scenes that I’m told you don’t have time to prepare yourself for.

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Never seen “Bridge Over The River Kwai” either, although I love William Holden and my husband insists it’s one of the best movies of all time.

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-Or “2001 Space Odyssey”

I can’t get past how BORing the first 1/2 hour is.  Why do all men love this film so much??! I’d rather watch “Lawrence of Arabia” twice,  back to back, then attempt Space Odyssey again.

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-Another great film I hate;  Orson Welles’ “The Third Man” .

UGH, just thinking of that weird Zither music gives me hives- I dread the moment I hear it and know that my husband will be immediately captivated and this will be the rest of our evening;

He “GENIUS”

Me “Can you please turn it down a little?”

He “The mans a GENIUS“

Me “Um…did the volume go up during the commercial or something? Can’t you turn it down just a bit” (pouring glass of wine)

He ” Just LOOK at that lighting”

Me “Has this ferris wheel scene been on for like 3 hours? Are you listening to me at all?”

He “Every shot is perfection“

Me “I think I am going to buy those earrings after all…”

He “Are you up for “Citizen Kane” next? “

Me “Sure. Probably the coat and the Tom Ford shoes too”

He “It’s unbelievable he was only 25 when he made that film- he’s from another planet”

Me “Where’d the rest of the wine go??”

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Exercise


-If I actually break a sweat when I’m exercising I start to panic.



- Sometimes I run up and down the stairs secretly and quietly just before bed so that I can accumulate steps on my pedometer before comparing it with my husband’s.

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- I bought a posture monitor and never wear it, because guess what? the fricking thing actually works and it’s annoying as hell.

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- I totally cheat on my yoga breathing

Who wants to accidentally snort in  yoga class??

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Random

Slim Paley photo taken with “Hipstomatic” App. on iPhone

-Did you know there are over 350,000 Apps for iPhones  now?  I confess I only use about 5 Apps regularly and perhaps another 3 once and awhile when I’m feeling creative.  I must admit I’m beginning to hate this “Tip of the Iceberg” syndrome I feel more and more lately.  Maybe “App. Clubs” are the new “Book Clubs”?  If I don’t  pull that together, which, let’s face it, I won’t, I vow to set at least one day a month aside to catch up on computer/techno/gadgetry wizardry.

I will not be mocked by my progeny.

Here’s another really bad one;

- I’ve never been to The Getty Museum and I live only an hour and a half away.

Slim Paley photo

-I sweet talk my roses

-and swear at my Tupperware. I know damn well there’s a lid conspiracy going on.

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And lastly, this is the top shelf of my pajama closet next to my bed.

Oh, wait… one more

I’m tired of pretending I don’t like Wiz Khalifa’s

Black & Yellow

(turn it UP!)

It’s my younger son’s ring tone so it’s in my head all the time. Have to admit I love it! :(

I feel utterly cleansed now.

OK, YOU next!

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Romance & Roses

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Slim Paley photo.

“Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but looking outward together in the same direction” Antoine De Saint-Expery

 

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It’s Smoochie Smoochie Time again…no, Silly, not The Grammys-I’m talking about kissing on the LIPS!

Valentine’s Day Tomorrow!!


What Lips My Lips Have Kissed

by Edna St. Vincent Millay

What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why,
I have forgotten, and what arms have lain
Under my head till morning; but the rain
Is full of ghosts tonight, that tap and sigh
Upon the glass and listen for reply;
And in my heart there stirs a quiet pain
For unremembered lads that not again
Will turn to me at midnight with a cry.
Thus in the winter stands a lonely tree,
Nor knows what birds have vanished one by one,
Yet know its boughs more silent than before:
I cannot say what loves have come and gone;
I only know that summer sang in me
A little while, that in me sings no more.

 

Sigh.


Let’s stroll down a romantic path together, shall we?


What’s your favourite romantic restaurant ? What foods spell ‘Sensuous’ to you?


Your most treasured romantic novel?


Mine is;

“To him she seemed so beautiful, so seductive, so different from ordinary people, that he could not understand why no one was as disturbed as he by the clicking of her heels on the paving stones, why no one else’s heart was wild with the breeze stirred by the sighs of her veils, why everyone did not go mad with the movements of her braid, the flight of her hands, the gold of her laughter. He had not missed a single one of her gestures, not one of the indications of her character, but he did not dare approach her for fear of destroying the spell.”  Gabriel Garcia Marquez

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Slim Paley photo

 

What about a film, flower or song?


Where’s the most romantic place you’ve ever been, or dream of going?!

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Herewith, a few images and some of my picks;

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Slim Paley Photo

Oak Alley, Louisiana- that’s Romance for me.





One of my favourite songs about LOVE (And played at our wedding :) )

Let’s Stay Together  

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Romantic Roses in my garden

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“Sofia” is a nice, light, inexpensive Rose’ in a very pretty bottle

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“LOVE” by Kilian.

A seductive blend of neroli, orange blossom, jasmine, rose & vanilla

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My friends Dani & Bill Hahn’s magical rose farm in Carpinteria, CA; ROSE STORY FARM

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Rose Story Farm

(spot the kitty- distant kin of our cat :) )

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Fun reference book by Diane Ackerman- I love her books

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Beautiful little arrangements for a Father & Daughter event created by TOAST, Santa Barbara

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i love you cards- check out their cute site here

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“The Lover”  A steamy, sensuous feast of a film

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And for sensuous food…pretty much anything that involves white truffles gets a big pungent thumbs up from moi.  Quite honestly- just bury me with a good bottle of fresh white truffle salt (but make sure it’s pure, no “Essence of” stuff- Could there be anything worse than heading off into The Afterlife with an aftertaste? You have to think of these things…)


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Slim Paley Photo

Ultra long stemmed red roses from Toast, Santa Barbara

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One of The most Romantic Gardens I’ve ever been to, NINFA, outside of Rome

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Robert Longo Rose Print

 

 

Unison Heart ornaments on sale now here

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A single votive illuminates a friend’s fahboolus rose photo printed coffee table

 

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Dior Couture 2011

How do I count the ways I love  thee, John Galliano??

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Slim Paley “Shake It” photo

 

 

photo via Lola’s

 

A Rose is a Rose (by any other name) Martini

In a shaker filled with ice ..
2 parts Capt Morgan Spiced Rum
2 splashes Rose Le Sirop de Monin
1 part of fresh pear juice
Shake vigorously and pour into a chilled champagne glass. Fill the glass to the top with rose petals .. which are completely edible and quite simply .. gorgeous. enjoy

(Recipe courtesy of Lola’s)

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Slim Paley Photo

‘Le Sirop Monin’ mixed with champagne, yesterday afternoon…  For the sake of THE BLOG, People

 

 

 

PS. So I cheated and used a camellia petal because I didn’t have pear juice or roses in bloom right now-  not poisonous, right?

It’s been almost 24 hours now…

So far, I’m feeling OK.

 

 

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Slim Paley photo

This Cherry Bomb cupcake from Whodidly Cupcakes, Montecito, CA. made me feel even better :)

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Wishing you a LOVEly Valentine’s Day and if you’re up for a Grammy Good Luck !!


xoxox

 

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Cabin Fever

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We’re having our first cloudy and very windy day here in almost two weeks- oh! I just looked out the window and it has started to pour! Still, not complaining- compared to what’s going on in other parts of the country, we are blessed indeed.  In any case, it’s the perfect day to take a visit to some snowy scenes and cozy hearths, I’d say.   (and may we have just a moment here? There is NO FOOTBALL today!! I don’t know what happened, but I’m not saying anything…the peace is heavenly :) )

Something beautiful to listen to while you stroll; 


(Is that a voice, or what?!)

Slim Paley photo

My kitchen is Sun Valley

One counter is zinc with an integrated sink, the others are Absolute Black granite honed.  The lower cabinetry and floors are all reclaimed wood. The island is 3/4 wood and 1/4 granite for chopping by the stove. I always like to put a hidden plug on kitchen islands to place a lamp- it feels homey :)   Also, please note my “Butler’s Bells” above the zinc counter, a la “Downton Abbey”!

Slim Paley photo

There is only one small overhead cabinet in the kitchen, which you see to the right of the fireplace- and I don’t even fill it. All our dishes are kept in the antique armoire to the left of the fridge. Now that TV’s are flat, there’s a lot of armoires out there out of a job!   The dish towel rack is a vintage heated towel bar that mounts to the floor and the wall.  Don’t look at how messy my pots are.

Inside the armoire

Who does ” Chic Rustic Cabin” better than Ralph Lauren?

Fendi, Dolce & Gabanna, and Max Mara

Slim Paley photo

Sun Valley

Nothing better than a fireplace in the bedroom- although now I’m looking at this photo, I’m wondering who stole the ottoman…

photo Mercia De Vries

From one of my son’s old books “Teddy’s World”

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Mandatory Cabin Libation

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The metal fireplace surround in the Sun Valley dining room my genius Iron monger made (he made all the log holders too)

Fireplace by AK-47

I think this is so cool! When not being used, it has a cover so it can also be a coffee table.

via Marie-Claire

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A cozy lean-to at The Point, in the Adirondacks

The Point

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Sunlight streams in over one of the built in beds in the boy’s room, Sun Valley

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The boy’s bathroom in Sun Valley. It was hard to take a good photo as the skylight was covered in snow

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Junya Watanbe Men’s Fall 2011

My Front Door, Sun Valley

Chanel Boots

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My friend brought me this from a shop in Paris. She said she saw it and instantly thought of me. It’s a pre-measured  rice pudding with caramel and hazelnut concoction. If you’re ever in Paris, you must look for this shop- she said it’s beautiful and amazing.

Note to self;  Make sure to remove all the wraps from caramels before dumping into milk next time :(

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Yum!!

A wonderful Christmas present- a set of these adorable mini Le Creuset crock pots in aubergine.

D & G and Martin Margiela

A Definite on MY BUCKET LIST:

WHITE POD, Switzerland

All photos via White Pod.  Please check out the video link at the bottom of the page.

and now, back to Sun Valley;

Slim Paley Photo

a nice afternoon walk in the ‘garden’

J.W. Anderson SS11 “Festival Boots” with Swarovski crystal toes. Made in England.

The Ultimate Snow Boots!!  I can’t help it- I love them!!

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Then a nice long bath

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Grab a book from the mezzanine

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and curl up to watch the sun go down…

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Happiness is a pile of old books

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Recording of Robert Frost reciting his poem “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening”; 


WHITE POD LINK

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Cheers!

XX

Do You Ever?

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DO YOU EVER…

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Ok, so you all know how much I adore my husband and children, that goes without saying, but do you ever sort of vaguely, fleetingly, for just a mosquito‘s breath of a second, relish having a little alone time in your house for a day or two?  My husband had to go out of town this week…  You know what that means for Slim- lamb with mint jelly for dinner, cozy flannel sheets, no television (except for “Miners & Mistresses” of course :) ) and a bed that morphs into a king-size magazine kiosk- Happiness!   Only for a couple of days, mind you (unless it’s September, when the issues are thicker)

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So naturally, with my alone time and no one to talk to but myself, I started to ponder some of the really meaningful questions in Life and commenced a’ wonderin’ if it’s just ME or …

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Do you ever do things when you’re all alone like blow out the power at night, when drying your hair on the “Damn You To Hell Frizz” setting of your hair dryer, and you have all the house lights on to make it look like everyone’s home, and then go down to reset the fuse for the master bathroom, and start doing some other stuff while you’re down there…

and come back up…oh, let’s say, awhile later, to hear a strange noise and find your blow dryer skidding all over the floor like a whirling dervish?

OK, maybe these are already getting too specific.

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-Do you ever wonder if Paula Dean’s accent is totally fake?

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Do you ever wonder why Sawyer from Lost hasn’t called me yet?  Even though I think he’s moved to Santa Barbara in a desperate attempt to be closer to me? (Just ignore that little corner of wife in the photo- I do :) )

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-Do you ever max up the volume listening to a song on your computer when you’re alone and then forget, and get the #$%*&  scared out of you when an email comes in?

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- Do you ever just want to pick up those tabloid magazines at the grocery  checkout so flipping badly, that you’re sure the person next in line knows…can actually hear your conscience and inner dialogue? So  you think ‘Well, now I’m busted anyway, what the hell?’  but flip through way too fast, because deep down you’re still trying to look like you’re really not even vaguely interested, but rather just killing time (oh woops- this isn’t ‘Oprah’!) and you end up not finding the article you were so desperate to read in the first place?

I like so saw you today at Von’s.

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And speaking of periodicals,

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-Do you ever think you could actually be in there with a chance as far as getting your poetry published in The New Yorker magazine, even though you’ve never written poetry?  I mean I hate to be negative, I love the articles and many of the jokes but… the poetry? reeeally??

Here, I’m working on a little “New Yorker” piece right now  I like to call;

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“ODE TO MY SHOWER CAP”

There you

lay

a cloud, fallen to the

ground

sprinkled with tiny flowers

Rachel Ashton, or…

perhaps

a Liberty print…

Who really remembers

these details?

the minutiae of life…

like so many flowers

in the rain

A Garden

in my shower

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Slim Paley

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There.  I think it’s almost ready to submit.

Of course I’m totally open to suggestions, but be kind; it’s my first draft and I could, very easily, make it about Wellington boots or home made marshmallows.  Or Sawyer.

Anyone else have any New Yorker poetry submissions?!  Dare you!

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Friday Favourites 14 (I know it’s Saturday, just play along and I’ll buy you a drink)

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Slim Paley photo

Sparkling Strawberry-Rosemary Lemonade.

serves 6

2 pints strawberries, hulled, plus garnish

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (aprox. 7 lemons)

1 cup Rosemary syrup (6 oz. simple syrup with two large rosemary sprigs brought to a rolling boil and steep)

2 cups seltzer

1) Place strawberries in juice extractor, process. Should yield 2 cups of juice.

2) Transfer to large pitcher, add remaining ingredients and stir.

Strawberry and Rosemary syrup may also be combined with vodka over rocks. Just sayin’

(recipe adapted from an old Martha Stewart magazine)

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Happy Friday Favourites Everyone!

Did anyone participate in Kevin Anderson’s “Life in a Day“  project last weekend ?  A couple of my girlfriends and I did- no joke!  The menfolk were away, which presented the perfect opportunity for a pajama party where delicious fruity cocktails were imbibed and, as is most often the case when ladies get together in the comfort of pj’s and the absence of testosterone, world changing ideas were exchanged.  Filming commenced first thing in the morning July 24th, nesty hair, puffy eyes and all. Victoria’s Secret catalogue eat your heart out.  I wish I could share it with you. Sort of.  Conversation highlights included families, parenting, the near pornographic nature of advertising lately, killer whales and gardening. We also covered the documentary’s suggested questions; What’s in your bag? What do you love? What do you fear? and What makes you laugh?? Needless to say, the answer to the last question was a resounding “MY GIRLFRIENDS!”  Unfortunately, in reviewing our videos afterwards, we agreed that we just weren’t quite brave enough to have all our unedited raw footage available on YouTube in perpetuity.  If by some bizarre chance :)  our footage was not selected for the  film that would be the case (Always read ‘The Terms and Conditions’!!)  Nevertheless, we had an absolute blast filming our little time capsule and how often do you ever  do something like that… when it doesn’t involve your kids??!

The following are ‘desktop shots’ NOT video, there is a little audio though :)

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“OMG, I get it…you’re from NY…you need TWO pods instead of one…Settle down. Are you sure this is your first coffee??!”

Audio of Coffeetawk




Believe it or not, I do have eyes- they just don’t open when I’m laughing this much in the morning. Not before 11.

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Hoping third time’s a charm…

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The ad campagin in question, although this isn’t even one of the most provocative ones. What say YOU?? Do you think they’re too much?

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My friend “QVC’ing” a gigantic blackberry.

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Later in the afternoon, we visited a beautiful orchard and rose garden where, as usual, the conversation turned to drunk dead guys on killer whales.

AUDIO


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This probably gives you a good idea of why we opted out of participating in ‘Life in a Day‘, but I’m certainly looking forward to seeing the project come to fruition!

Click here for “Life in A Day” regularly updating site

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At the other end of the spectrum… If you want to see some women that are just AMAZING on film, go see;


The Trailer

Loved this movie!  It’s so funny but it also really made me cry.  The acting is inspired all round (when is Julianne Moore ever less than fabulous?!) but I have to say it was Annette Bening’s performance that really sent me to the cleaner’s.  She’s so utterly fearless and real- I hope she gets nominated for an Oscar- she’s that good. In fact they both deserve to get Oscar noms. What a great movie!

(R- for strong sexual content, nudity, language and some teen drug and alcohol use)

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Still in keeping with Friday’s Female Love Fest, my older son and I went to see Joanna Newsom in concert tonight at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara.  Um…just a little talented.  WOW.  She has a clear, bright, beautiful voice, exceedingly reminiscent of Kate Bush. Like Kate, she is a pianist, writes all her own music and lyrics, and plays the hell out of the harp.  Very cool show. She said her father was in the audience and I felt so happy for him. He must have been so proud.

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PS.  Robin Pentfold, the lead singer from Fleet Foxes opened for Joanna Newsom. Quite honestly, you’d have to be a log not to get goosebumps from his voice in concert.  Long time readers of Slim Paley know what a huge fan I am of Fleet Foxes. So, all in all,  it was an inspiring evening, despite driving home lamenting the teeniness ( I say it’s a word, so curse you, Spellcheck) of my talents.  Why oh why didn’t my parents MAKE me play that harp?!

Robyn Pentfold Blue Ridge Mountains  click

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Lastly, My Old Classic Book recommendation for this week is;

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Edith Summers Kelley’s “WEEDS”

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Do you ever have those days where you feel so ridiculously sorry for yourself that something only need fall off a hangar and you’re convinced the entire universe is conspiring against you?  Or you pull in the wrong side of the pump at the gas station and you start crying? Oops- TMI?!   Have I got a book for you; Try reading “Weeds“.   Written in 1923,  Edith Summers Kelley tells the desperate story of a young woman tobacco farmer living a life, if you can call it that,  that will leave you gasping. This is neither uplifting, nor an easy read, but God is it good.  The writing is spare, unflinching and pitch perfect. And BTW, Why are there so many great Canadian women writers- what’s that about?  Apres ‘Weeds’ you’ll be hard-pressed whether to make out with your iron or fondle your dishwasher. There’ll be Disney blue birds circling your microwave.  I considered knitting a sweater from my dryer lint. (in the New Blue!)   Never again It will be awhile before you complain about all ‘the stuff’ on your list when you finish this raw slice of genius.

(Available on Amazon.  *Would make a great book club book.)

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So, That’s it for this Friday’s Favourites. Don’t you just love when they come on Saturday?! So much more special.  I’m thinking “Saturday Stuff” might not be such a bad idea…Fridays come around so quickly!

Hope you have an abundance of sunshine, music, and reading time this weekend :)

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Cheers!

xx Slim

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